Stress from racism may help explain why black women more likely to die in childbirth, study finds
Summary
A study found that stress from racism and poverty may explain why black women face higher risks during childbirth. Researchers say this stress affects key biological processes in pregnancy, leading to more complications and deaths among black women compared to white women.Key Facts
- Researchers reviewed 44 studies on three biological factors linked to pregnancy problems: oxidative stress, inflammation, and blood flow to the placenta.
- Black women showed higher levels of these biological factors, which are linked to conditions like pre-eclampsia and preterm birth.
- These differences are not due to genetics but are believed to result from social and environmental stresses like racism and poverty.
- In the UK, black women are 2.7 times more likely to die during childbirth than white women.
- Black babies are twice as likely to be stillborn compared to white babies in the UK.
- Social inequalities and racism affect black women’s bodies, making it harder for them to have healthy pregnancies.
- Experts say more government action and investment in maternity care are needed to reduce these health differences.
- The study was published in the journal Trends in Endocrinology and Metabolism by researchers at the University of Cambridge.
Read the Full Article
This is a fact-based summary from The Actual News. Click below to read the complete story directly from the original source.