Disparities in cardiovascular health among women of different racial and ethnic backgrounds can often be traced back to socioeconomic factors established during early pregnancy. A recent study reveals that the socioeconomic status of first-time mothers significantly impacts their heart health up to seven years after giving birth. The research, involving over 4,000 pregnant individuals, highlights how education, income, insurance coverage, and health literacy consistently contribute to these disparities.
Findings indicate that while Black mothers have lower cardiovascular health scores compared to their white counterparts, adjusting for socioeconomic variables can dramatically close this gap. In fact, when socioeconomic factors of Black women were aligned with those of white women in the study, their heart health scores improved by 6.6 points, effectively removing more than half the difference. Hispanic women also showed improvements in cardiovascular health scores when their socioeconomic status was evaluated similarly.
Experts emphasize the importance of addressing these disparities through enhanced access to preventive care, particularly postpartum care. The study’s insights underline a critical need for public health policies that acknowledge and combat the effects of structural racism on maternal health. With the United States facing an increasing maternal death rate, particularly among Black and non-Hispanic women, targeted efforts to improve health equity are essential for safeguarding the cardiovascular health of future generations.
See “Socioeconomic status during early pregnancy may play a large role in future heart health” (November 11, 2024)
