White-Black Disparity in Maternal Mortality and Morbidity: An Exploration of Risk Factors

Black expectant mothers are more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than white expectant mothers. While researchers have long documented this disparity, the gap persists. The purpose of this literature review is to describe the white-black disparity in maternal mortality and morbidity, identify racism and discrimination across multiple ecological systems as a primary driver of this disparity, and suggest implications of this for social work practice. This review presents basic statistics and means of data collection regarding this disparity, acknowledges known risk factors for pregnancy-related deaths, and identifies the association between racism and discrimination in healthcare settings and this white-black disparity. A bioecological framework will be used to further analyze the implications of racism on multiple ecological systems. The conclusion presents existing interventions and provides recommendations for social workers regarding this healthcare disparity