A new Northwestern University study reveals that racial disparities in maternal heart health are rooted in social and economic conditions rather than biological differences. Black and Hispanic mothers face significantly higher risks of preterm birth, preeclampsia, and cardiovascular problems compared to white mothers. But researchers found that equalizing access to education could nearly erase these gaps.
“If racial and ethnic groups achieved the same average years of education, the gaps in heart health between the groups could be substantially reduced,” said Dr. Natalie Cameron, first author of the study and a physician at Northwestern Medicine. The analysis showed that improving education could cut disparities between Black and white women by 82 percent and completely eliminate them between Hispanic and white women.
The study examined data from more than 9,000 participants early in pregnancy, assessing cardiovascular health scores based on blood pressure, body weight, diet, exercise, smoking, and sleep. Researchers then compared these measures across racial and ethnic groups, factoring in age, income, health insurance, neighborhood deprivation, and experiences of discrimination. The results made clear that social drivers of health explained nearly all the differences.
Cameron emphasized that improving maternal outcomes requires more than medical care. “We need to improve access to healthy foods, build environments where people can safely walk and play, and improve access to preventive healthcare,” she said. She added that healthcare systems should screen for social needs early and connect patients with resources.
See: “Socioeconomic Factors Drive Racial Disparities in Maternal Heart Health” (January 14, 2025)
