The Washington Post Reports, “Mortality Rate for Black Babies Is Cut Dramatically When Black Doctors Care for Them After Birth”

When you’re seeking prenatal care, you’re likely concerned about just getting through the pregnancy and holding your baby in your arms. You’re expecting to head home from the hospital afterward with your newborn.

But, infant mortality is a sad possibility, especially for patients of color. According to the Washington Post, the “Mortality rate for Black babies is cut dramatically when Black doctors care for them after birth.”

Here’s what you should know about the research done by Rachel Hardeman, Associate Professor at the University of Minnesota School of Public Health, and a team of three other researchers regarding infant mortality for Black newborns.

Here’s What Was Discovered During Research About How the Mortality Rate for Black Babies Is Cut Dramatically When Black Doctors Care for Them After Birth

As a researcher for reproductive health equity, Rachel Hardeman has fought racism and its harm on Black Americans for the entirety of her career, according to the Post article.  She is especially concerned with the number of deaths of Black babies.

As a result, there is great research being done to determine why the mortality rate for Black babies is so incredibly high. The numbers are quite staggering after a review of 1.8 million hospital births in the state of Florida from 1992 to 2015. The shocking find was that Black newborns were three times as likely to die compared to their White counterparts.

One reason for this is that our current maternity care system across the country consistently falls short of delivering fair, respectful, culturally sensitive, secure, efficient, and affordable healthcare to racial and ethnic minorities.

Healthcare in general particularly disappoints Black communities grappling with the weight of systemic racism and other forms of inequality, as well as Indigenous and other People of Color (BIPOC). People in rural areas and individuals with limited financial resources are also affected, making it harder for Black patients who are also in rural settings and / or living at or below the poverty level.

Unfortunately, the ongoing challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the economic downturn, and the nation's heightened focus on racial inequality have underscored the imperative to address the societal determinants that influence health outcomes.

Another shocking finding between Hardeman and her fellow researchers was that the infant mortality rate for Black babies was cut in half when they were cared for by Black doctors.

"Strikingly, these effects appear to manifest more strongly in more complicated cases and when hospitals deliver more Black newborns," the researchers reported. Additionally, Hardeman reported, this is, “the first empirical evidence to describe the impact of the physician’s race on an outcome such as infant mortality.”

Rachel’s report suggests that the key to improving outcomes for Black infants lies in medical school and other training addressing racism so that all doctors can properly treat all patients regardless of race. 

For Outstanding Prenatal Care for All, Turn to the Compassionate Team at Capital Women’s Care

At Capital Women's Care, our renowned obstetricians and other OB/GYN professionals offer the same care for all, with first-hand experience and training in caring for Black patients. Through early and regular prenatal care including risk assessments, patient education, screenings, reducing the risk of premature labor, safe birth practices, and more, we’re dedicated to a healthy delivery and beyond.

Yes, as the Washington Post headline reads, “Mortality rate for Black babies is cut dramatically when Black doctors care for them after birth.” Our experienced OB/GYN team is composed of people of color, and all of our physicians have received training in caring for patients of color to help reduce your risks.

Call us today at 410-314-0001 to book a consultation with our pregnancy specialists to learn more about what we’re doing to keep your baby safe inside and outside the womb. When experience matters, choose Capital Women’s Care!