Addressing Inequities in Cardiovascular Disease and Maternal Health in Black Women

The Association of Preterm Birth With Maternal Nativity and Length of Residence Among Non-Hispanic Black Women

“…39 To a large extent, contributions to this disparity include social determinants of health, including residential racial segregation, concentrated poverty, neighborhood violence, air pollution, lack of access to employment and healthcare opportunities, exposure to structural racism, and discrimination, all of which are more common for Black women. [40][41][42] In our study, disparities in PTB persisted between US-and foreign-born NHB women even after accounting for differences in sociodemographic and CVD risk factors. Thus, other unmeasured confounders such as experiences of structural racism and neighborhood-level factors may contribute to these disparities.…”

Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy

“…There is increased risk for preeclampsia among minority groups, with higher frequency of preeclampsia among non-Hispanic Black women compared to non-Hispanic White women (16.7% vs 13.4%, respectively). 8 , 9 Maternal mortality is approximately 3-fold higher in Black individuals, with preeclampsia and eclampsia leading causes of death, accounting for 30% of pregnancy-related deaths. 9 A single-center prospective study that screened >10,000 postpartum women detected a new diagnosis of postpartum hypertension in 8%, most frequently in Black individuals with higher body mass index.…”

“… 8 , 9 Maternal mortality is approximately 3-fold higher in Black individuals, with preeclampsia and eclampsia leading causes of death, accounting for 30% of pregnancy-related deaths. 9 A single-center prospective study that screened >10,000 postpartum women detected a new diagnosis of postpartum hypertension in 8%, most frequently in Black individuals with higher body mass index. 10 Short-term adverse outcomes resulting from preeclampsia include increased risk for cesarean delivery, placental abruption, prolonged maternal hospital stay, and increased mortality.…”

A Call to Action: Cardiovascular-Related Maternal Mortality

“…The United States is long overdue for a paradigm shift in maternal health, away from a focus on individual behaviors and socioeconomic status and, instead, to focus on comprehensive and systemic approaches that address the social and structural issues underlying maternal health inequities 12 . Together, we can decrease overall maternal mortality and eliminate the maternal health and healthcare inequities that disproportionately burden Black, Indigenous, and persons of color.…”