A Framework For Improving Maternity Healthcare In The US (And Elsewhere)

In 2019, Harvard Public Health Magazine declared: “America is Failing its Black Mothers.” Black women in the U.S. have twice the mortality rate from pregnancy-related causes than White women. These disparities persist regardless of income, education, or professional status. Tennis champion Serena Williams’ near-death experience during childbirth, despite access to elite healthcare, highlighted the systemic neglect Black birthing people face. Others, like CDC epidemiologist Shalon Irving, weren’t as fortunate.

This article emphasizes a call to act, exploring the scale and roots of the crisis. Learn more about the Birthing and Child Health (BACH) Think Tank’s operational framework and how expanded access to doula care could save lives. Read on to understand the causes, the consequences, and the clear path forward.