Premature birth is a critical yet often overlooked health hazard disproportionately affecting Black birthing parents in the United States. According to the March of Dimes, Black birthing parents are 1.5 times more likely to deliver a premature baby compared to their white counterparts, and these premature infants are nearly twice as likely to die before their first birthday.
The United States, already lagging behind other industrialized nations in maternal health, shows stark disparities in birth outcomes for Black women. Black mothers face a preterm birth rate of 14.7%, significantly higher than the national average. Cindy Rahman, interim president of the March of Dimes, highlighted that the consequences of preterm birth extend far beyond prolonged hospital stays, impacting behavior, mental health, and brain development. Premature infants often suffer from conditions such as asthma, hearing loss, and even death.
Despite advancements in prenatal care, the causes of many preterm births remain unclear. However, access to quality prenatal care, management of chronic health conditions, and preventive interventions like low-dose aspirin can reduce risks. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) emphasizes that structural, institutionalized, and interpersonal racism, rather than race itself, are more likely to contribute to elevated risks.
The recent extension of postpartum Medicaid coverage from 60 days to up to 12 months, as provided by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, aims to address these disparities. With Medicaid covering approximately 64% of births to Black women, this extension is crucial for reducing racial health disparities by allowing continued treatment for chronic health conditions post-delivery.
Efforts to improve Black maternal health must focus on equitable access to quality care and addressing the systemic biases that contribute to these disparities.
See “Another Black Maternal Health Concern: Premature Babies” (November 21, 2024)
