Mackenzie Steves

Abstract:

Maternal mortality in the U.S. is the highest among African Americans compared to women of other minority groups. And although mothers of all backgrounds get rushed into emergency C-sections in the U.S., the rates are highest for African American women (Aftershock). How many African American mothers need to die during childbirth for people to see the racism in the medical system? There are deep problems in the healthcare system that lead to African American mothers getting written off due to preconceived stereotypes, the environment they live in, and a lack of good health insurance. Healthcare systems need to take more concrete steps to prevent medical bias that can lead to maternal mortality, specifically against African American mothers.