A recent study has shed light on the persistent racial disparities in maternal heart health in the United States, revealing that achieving educational equity could be the key to bridging these gaps. The research, published in Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes, analyzed data from over 9,100 pregnant individuals during their first trimester.
The study scored participants’ cardiovascular health based on six metrics: body mass index, blood pressure, exercise levels, sleep, diet, and tobacco use. Researchers then examined these scores in relation to self-reported individual and neighborhood-level factors, including education, healthcare access, income, and perceived racial discrimination.
The findings were striking. These individual and neighborhood factors explained all differences in cardiovascular health for Hispanic participants and 82% of differences for Black participants when compared to White participants. Most notably, educational attainment accounted for the greatest proportion of cardiovascular differences among the groups.
This research builds upon a previous study of nonpregnant adults, further emphasizing the potential of multilevel reform to address social and environmental drivers of heart health disparities. The implications of these findings extend beyond pregnancy, suggesting that interventions targeting education and other socioeconomic factors could have far-reaching effects on overall cardiovascular health.
The study underscores the complex interplay between social determinants of health and cardiovascular outcomes. By highlighting the significant role of education in maternal heart health, it points to a clear path forward for policymakers and healthcare professionals. Addressing educational inequities could be a powerful tool in the fight against racial disparities in maternal health outcomes, potentially improving the lives of countless mothers and their children across the United States.
See: “Achieving Education Equity Could End Maternal Heart Health Disparities” (February 14, 2025)
