The Brief
- This week is Black Maternal Health Week, and gaps persist in healthcare for pregnant Black women.
- The latest CDC numbers released this year show Black mothers die in childbirth three times more than other women.
- Doctors emphasize the need for improved access, stronger trust in healthcare systems, and better research representation, with community health efforts continuing at upcoming local forums.
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Friday marks the end of Black Maternal Health Week, and Bay Area doctors are sharing where progress is still needed to help fix disparities in healthcare for Black pregnant women.
By the numbers:
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released its latest data in March tracking pregnancy-related deaths. In 2024, Black pregnant women remained over three times more likely to die than white and Hispanic moms. According to the CDC, the data recorded 44.8 deaths per 100,000 live births for Black women, 14.2 deaths for white women, 12.1 deaths for Hispanic women, and 18.1 deaths for Asian women.
Professional athletes and Olympians like Serena Williams and Allyson Felix brought attention to their own experiences with the systemic gaps in healthcare.…