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Why do Black American women die having babies?

"There has not been a year when communities of color — Black and brown people, indigenous people in our country — have not suffered disproportionately," and the issue of maternal and infant health is "top of the list for ugent attention," said Dr. Marcella Nunez-Smith.
"There has not been a year when communities of color — Black and brown people, indigenous people in our country — have not suffered disproportionately," and the issue of maternal and infant health is "top of the list for ugent attention," said Dr. Marcella Nunez-Smith. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
By Mary C. Curtis, Joanne Levine and Evan Campbell
Posted June 3, 2021 at 2:31pm

The United States has the highest — yes, the highest — maternal mortality rates in the developed world. Black women are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related issues than white women. That is in keeping with other sobering statistics of racial health inequities revealed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Mary C. Curtis sits down with Dr. Marcella Nunez-Smith, President Joe Biden’s pick to lead the task force on health equity. They discuss why Black people suffer disproportionately and what is being done to change the equation.

Show Notes:

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