Black women are more likely to die in childbirth but there are solutions, PA doctor says
(WHTM)– Despite all the latest technology the rate of moms dying during childbirth is rising in the U.S. but statistics show this is not happening to all groups.
“The United States has a rising maternal mortality rate compared to other highly resourced countries,” Dr. Sharee Livingston the OB/GYN chair at UPMC Magee Women’s in Lititz said
That’s overall – and some expectant mothers living in America might as well not be living in America – but rather in countries around the world where things are much worse. From April 11 to April17 is Black Maternal Health Week, but why a week especially for black expectant mothers?
“Black women are three to four times more likely to die in childbirth than their white counterparts,” Livingston said. She says it’s not mostly because of the quality of the healthcare they’re getting
“50% of health outcomes are attributed to social determinants of health,” Livingston said. “20% of health outcomes are attributed to what we as health care providers do.”
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In other words – people like doctors and nurses are important – but when something goes wrong – it’s even more likely to go wrong because of things unhealthy community eating habits.
“You go, you know, into any American city and you see stores that have foods that are just not healthy,” Livingston said. “And so, unfortunately, things like social determinants of health where people live.”
Over $800k headed to Pennsylvania to help protect at-risk youth
Here is one example that came up during this event Wednesday, think about all the usual healthy things people couldn’t do in the depths of the pandemic – things like routine healthcare – and then listen to this.
“The maternal mortality rate in our country rose about 40% in 2021,” pediatrician Dr. Amaka Nnamani said.
“It makes you feel hopeless when you’re talking about the statistics,” Livingston said. “Imagine the people who are living that life. But there are solutions.”
Solutions like society doing a better job taking care of all women, she says – but also things expectant mothers can do themselves – like asking this specific question of their doctors:
“What can you and I do together to help keep me safe and have a beautiful, safe birth,” Livingston said.
And then it is just a matter of following the plan – together.
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