The unjust reality of Black maternal mortality has escalated into an intersectional crisis for womanist ethicists. Though the US and UK healthcare systems differ significantly, both perpetuate unconscionable racial inequities in maternal health outcomes (Williams et al., 2021). This ongoing tragedy intersects with systemic racism, gender bias, and reproductive justice—yet governments fail to prioritize reform (Ross & Solinger, 2017).
In the US, a Black woman faces a pregnancy-related death rate triple that of White women (CDC, 2020). For every 100,000 live births, nearly 50 Black mothers die, compared just 15 White mothers. Similarly in the UK, Black women show a quadrupled maternal mortality rate with Asian women facing double the likelihood of dying during childbirth or postpartum (MBRRACE-UK, 2023). Studies consistently expose racial and ethnic disparities across maternity care, from pain mismanagement to missed diagnosis of concerning symptoms.
What does this institutional neglect of marginalized mothers and babies say about society’s values? Womanist scholars emphasize interrogating implicit biases and stereotypes that cost lives in delivery wards daily (Cannon, 1995).
The following case study bleakly depicts this through one preventable death. (Click here to read “Pregnant woman died after ‘cultural bias’ caused delayed care at Liverpool Women’s Hospital.”) Analyzing its cultural subtleties exposes the scope of this intersectional crisis—and the moral mandate for radical reform.
Safe, dignified, attentive maternal care must become accessible for all, regardless of color or postal code. Join the movement demanding long-overdue justice for marginalized mothers.
References
Cannon, K. G. (1995). Katie’s Canon: Womanism and the Soul of the Black Community. Bloomsbury Academic/Fortress Press, 1995
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Racial and ethnic disparities continue in pregnancy-related deaths. CDC, 2020
Mothers and Babies: Reducing Risk Through Audits and Confidential Enquiries across the UK (MBRRACE-UK). Saving Lives, Improving Mothers’ Care 2022: Lessons learned to inform maternity care from the UK and Ireland Confidential Enquiries in Maternal Deaths and Morbidity, 2023
Ross, L. J., & Solinger, R. Reproductive justice: An introduction. University of California Press, 2017
Zambrana, Ruth Enid and David R. Williams. “The Intellectual Roots Of Current Knowledge On Racism And Health: Relevance To Policy And The National Equity Discourse,” in Health Affairs, vol 41, no 2, Feb 2022
Misogynoir to Mishpat Research Network 