Infant mortality rates in the United States vary greatly by race and ethnicity, with black babies experiencing significantly higher rates of death than white babies.
In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the infant mortality rate for non-Hispanic black babies is more than twice as high as the rate for non-Hispanic white babies. This disparity has been attributed to a range of factors, including differences in socioeconomic status, access to healthcare, and exposure to environmental toxins.
However, many experts argue that underlying all of these factors is the pervasive impact of medical racism, which refers to the ways in which systemic racism within the medical field negatively impacts the health outcomes of people of color.
Medical Racism
One key way in which medical racism affects infant mortality rates for black babies is through implicit biases among healthcare providers. Studies have shown that healthcare providers are more likely to underestimate the pain of black patients and to dismiss their concerns, which can lead to delays in treatment and misdiagnosis.
Additionally, healthcare providers may be less likely to provide black mothers with the support and resources they need during pregnancy and childbirth, which can increase the risk of complications and poor outcomes for both the mother and baby. Ultimately, the high infant mortality rates for black babies in the United States serve as a stark reminder of the ongoing impact of medical racism and the urgent need for systemic change within the medical field.
So…What’s The Connection to Black Maternal Mortality?
Well, addressing these disparities requires a multifaceted approach that includes improving access to quality healthcare, addressing systemic racism, and addressing social and economic disparities.
The infant mortality rate (IMR) of black babies in the United States has long been a public health concern. Black infants are more than twice as likely as white infants to die before their first birthday. The reasons behind this disparity are complex and multifaceted, but they are rooted in systemic racism and social inequities. One significant factor is the maternal mortality rate (MMR) among black women, which is also much higher than that of white women. Black mothers are more likely to experience complications during pregnancy and childbirth, such as preeclampsia and postpartum hemorrhage, and they are also more likely to receive substandard care.