Key facts
- 20% of women surveyed reported mistreatment during maternity care.
- Black (30%), Hispanic (29%), and multiracial (27%) women reported higher rates of mistreatment.
- Common mistreatment includes ignored requests for help, being shouted at, privacy violations, and threats regarding treatment.
- Maternal mortality rates are 3-4 times higher for Black women and 2-3 times higher for American Indian/Alaska Native women than for White women.
- Racism, not race itself, is identified as the cause of increased sickness and death rates among women of color.
Maternal death rates in the U.S. have risen, with a significant portion of these deaths being preventable. Women from racial and ethnic minority groups, particularly Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, Black, and American Indian and Alaska Native women, face the highest rates of pregnancy-related mortality and are more likely to experience mistreatment during maternity care.
A survey revealed that 20% of women reported mistreatment, with higher percentages among Black (30%), Hispanic (29%), and multiracial (27%) women. Common forms of mistreatment include ignored requests for help, being shouted at, compromised physical privacy, and threats or imposition of unwanted treatment. Additionally, nearly half of mothers reported withholding questions or concerns during their pregnancy or delivery due to various factors, including provider rushedness and embarrassment.
Research indicates that women of color often receive lower quality care compared to White women. Black women, for instance, are more likely to feel pressured into cesarean births and may be labeled as 'difficult' or 'angry' when advocating for themselves. These disparities are attributed to systemic racism within the healthcare system and society, creating barriers to essential resources like health insurance, transportation, and stable housing. The higher rates of maternal sickness and death among women of color persist even after accounting for income and education, underscoring racism as a direct cause.
Healthcare systems and providers are urged to implement patient-centered care, ensuring all mothers are treated with dignity and respect, feel heard, and have their values and needs considered. Communities are also encouraged to raise awareness and promote health equity to combat these issues.