Racial Disparities in Maternal Mortality Rates

Minority women, specifically, African American women are more likely to die during childbirth than Caucasian women. They are also more likely to suffer from the effects of comorbidities that target the African American population while receiving care that lacks quality and safety when compared to racial counterparts. The objective of this evidence-based practice paper is to highlight racial disparities in maternal care contributing to the increased maternal death rate and pregnancy complications of African American women compared to Caucasian women. The current literature was reviewed systematically utilizing studies from sources such as EBSCO and PubMed for studies that were peer reviewed, ten years old or less, and included keywords for the specific research topic. The results of the literature review included the notion that due to systemic healthcare practices with implicit racial biases, societal racial inequalities, and lack of prenatal and postpartum support for women of color, more African American women die from childbirth and its complications than Caucasian women. In summary, there is a statistical difference in the mortality rate for postpartum African American women when compared to Caucasian women. Recognition and acknowledgment of these differences allow there to be policy changes and advancements in the care of these prenatal and postpartum women of color