The issue of black maternal mortality has been in the spotlight for quite some time, yet the issue has not seen significant success.
The New York Times found that money did not shield Black mothers and newborns from the consequences of systematic racism, even while maternal death rates rose for all women during the COVID-19 epidemic. In the U.S., babies of affluent Black moms had a higher infant mortality rate than those of the lowest-income White mothers.
Experts and campaigners who are fighting to end the hazardous inequality Black women face discussed what governing bodies can do to end the danger during Fortune’s recent Brainstorm Health event. Following on the heels of National Black Maternal Health Week, the president declared at the start of this event that healthcare ought to be a right rather than a privilege.
“Black Maternal Health Week is a reminder that so many families experience pain, neglect, and loss during what should be one of the most joyous times of their lives,” President Joe Biden stated.
Irogue Igbosina, a women’s reproductive health expert, reasoned that clinical trials, of which only 2% are relevant to pregnant women, should be a starting point for thinking about the future of maternal health.
Because pregnant individuals are rarely enrolled in trials that examine the safety of new drugs, the CDC reports that little is known about the consequences of taking the majority of medications during pregnancy.
According to Igbinosa, victim blaming is possible when race is used in healthcare choices since it is typically discussed as a risk factor. Instead, racial identity should be observed as a proxy for racism and used to evaluate the impact of the patient’s surroundings on their health. She urged universities and hospitals to expand their community service initiatives by teaming up with local organizations.
Maven Clinic is just one of several health tech firms trying to enhance the quality of treatment for expectant mothers. Overall, FemTech has had a rapid expansion, and there’s little indication that it will be hampered by the current market downturn. Preeclampsia is the leading cause of maternal mortality, and a number of new businesses are investigating whether or not it may be predicted by remote patient monitoring. To prevent postpartum infections, others have explored the use of virtual care.
As of this past November, Maven claimed to be managing 15 million lives, making it the biggest virtual clinic for family health. The platform promises to reduce NICU hospitalizations by 28% and rates of c-sections by 20% thanks to its enhanced assistance for high-risk clients.
Those who are worried about the health tech boom often repeat the same refrain: that technology will just digitize the existing disparities in the analog world, making them even more pronounced. In the discussion, Loretta Ross, a faculty member at Smith College who teaches about white supremacy and human rights, highlighted the need for caution and care when using technology to address maternal mortality.
The Changes Proposed by the Black Maternal Mortality Health Momnibus Act
The Black ,Maternal Mortality Health Momnibus Act, if it were to become law, would bring about a number of measures aimed at reducing maternal mortality, including:
- The creation and financial support of a Maternal Mortality Prevention Grant Plan
- The establishment of an implicit bias training initiative for medical personnel.
- Highlighting the rights of perinatal care patients
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