Black Maternal Health Disparities

Black Maternal Health Disparities

Instruction:

Discussion posts must be a minimum of 350 words initial, references must be cited in APA format 7th Edition, and must include a minimum of 2 scholarly resources published within the past 3 years.

Questions:

• Analyze Black maternal, child, and infant morbidity and mortality in the United States highlighting the root causes of poor outcomes.
• Explain the political social, economic, environmental, health risk behaviors that influence outcomes for Black mothers, Black birthing people, and children resulting in the social determinants of life.

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APA

Black Maternal Health Disparities

Discussion Post

Black maternal, infant, and child morbidity and mortality in the United States remain alarmingly high, rooted in systemic inequities that span centuries. Current data show that Black women face maternal mortality rates nearly three times higher than those of non-Hispanic White women (e.g., 55.3 vs. 18.1 per 100,000 live births) PMCKFFCommonwealth Fund. Similarly, Black infants experienced 2022 infant mortality rates 2.4 times higher than their White counterparts and were over three times more likely to die from low birth weight or sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) Office of Minority Health.

Root Causes of Poor Outcomes
These disparities stem from interconnected root causes including structural racism, socioeconomic marginalization, segregated housing, and environmental exposures. The “weathering hypothesis” posits that chronic racial stress accelerates aging among Black women, contributing to adverse birth outcomes such as preterm birth and low birthweight across all socioeconomic statuses Wikipedia. Structural determinants like redlining and residential segregation concentrate Black families in under-resourced neighborhoods, with limited access to healthcare, nutritious foods, safe environment, and economic opportunity Wikipedia+2Wikipedia+2. Moreover, areas known as maternity care deserts—where obstetric services are scarce—disproportionately affect Black mothers and infants, especially in rural and restricted-access regions Wikipedia.

Social Determinants: Political, Social, Economic, Environmental, Health Behaviors
Politically, reduced access to Medicaid expansion and restrictive reproductive policies (such as abortion bans) undermine maternal healthcare in many states—especially those with…