A Seattle hospital has successfully eliminated racial disparities in unnecessary cesarean sections (C-sections), a significant achievement in maternal health equity. Published on May 7, 2025, the article in The Seattle Times details how Swedish Medical Center implemented a program to address the higher rates of C-sections among Black and Hispanic women compared to their white counterparts. The initiative focused on standardizing care and reducing biases in clinical decision-making.
The program included training for healthcare providers on implicit bias, revising clinical guidelines to ensure consistent care, and closely monitoring C-section rates by race and ethnicity. These efforts resulted in a dramatic reduction in unnecessary C-sections among minority women, aligning their rates with those of white women. The key to success was the commitment to equity and the willingness to confront uncomfortable truths about bias in healthcare.
This initiative is particularly impactful for minority communities, as unnecessary C-sections can lead to increased health risks for both mothers and babies, including infections, longer recovery times, and complications in future pregnancies. By addressing these disparities, Swedish Medical Center has set a precedent for other hospitals to follow, demonstrating that targeted interventions can lead to more equitable health outcomes.
The success of this program highlights the importance of continuous efforts to identify and eliminate health disparities, ensuring that all patients receive the highest standard of care regardless of their racial or ethnic background.
See: “How a Seattle hospital erased racial disparity in unnecessary C-sections” (May 7, 2025)