The U.S. faces a harrowing maternal mortality rate which disproportionately impacts women and birth givers of color. Black women specifically are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related issues than white women, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Black Maternal Health Week, April 11 to 17, recognizing these racial disparities, striving to bring awareness to these preventable deaths.
Why culture and representation matters
A 2023 CDC report found that 1 in 5 women reported mistreatment while receiving maternal care, with 40% of Black, Latino and multiracial individuals reporting discrimination. This leads to medical mistrust in communities of color, which research shows is linked to worst health outcomes for patients.
Given these disparities, both Irobunda and Perkins emphasize the importance of representation in medical settings.
“There’s a lot of mistrust. It’s very important that people can feel connected to their providers and oftentimes one of the first ways the people feel connected with each other is through similarity, …