Racial disparities still affecting maternal health, data shows

Photo: Marko Geber/Getty Images

Disparities persist in maternal health, with the new 2024 Maternal and Infant Health Disparities Data Brief from the United Health Foundation showing that in 2020, severe maternal morbidity was twice as high among Black mothers than white mothers.

The data published by UnitedHealth Group's philanthropic arm also showed maternal morbidity was 1.5 times higher among Black mothers than Hispanic mothers.

Infant mortality was 2.9 times higher among infants born to Black mothers (10.6 per 1,000) than Asian mothers (3.6), 2.4 times higher than white mothers (4.5) and 2.2 times higher than Hispanic mothers (4.8) in 2018-2021.

At the same time, among females ages 18-44 between 2010-2014 and 2018-2022 uninsured rates were 5.8 times higher among those with less than a high school education (28.4%) than college graduates (4.9%).

WHAT'S THE IMPACT?

Despite the statistics, there were also some positive trends, such as improvements in infant mortality rates among certain racial groups from 2008 to 2011 and from 2018 to 2021. Infant mortality rates improved 15% among babies born to white mothers, 12% among Black babies and 9% among Hispanic children.

The data brief did highlight some possible solutions. For instance, to help address maternal health disparities in New York, the United Health Foundation and Church Avenue Merchant Block Association (CAMBA) announced a three-year, $3 million grant partnership in 2020 to increase access to prenatal care for underserved and homeless individuals in Brooklyn.

Through the partnership, more than 475 pregnant people have received a care management plan, 430 individuals received education about family health topics, and 24% were connected to doulas or midwives, the Foundation said.

In addition, the UnitedHealthcare Catalyst program, in partnership with the Samuel U. Rodgers Health Center and Northland Health Care Access in Kansas City, Missouri, is focused on addressing maternal and infant health disparities. From 2020-2023, the program reported a 52% increase in postpartum care engagement and a 66% reduction in low-birth-weight prevalence.

THE LARGER TREND

Understanding the disparities faced by various racial and ethnic groups is key to addressing preterm births and low birth rates, which should spur action from payers, providers and lawmakers, a 2023 Health Affairs study found.

Specifically, the authors said that state and local lawmakers wield considerable influence in reducing disparities in maternal health outcomes, since many originate from historically inequitable local policies.

One possible means of addressing the issue would be the development of surveys with disaggregated race and ethnicity data that's specific to a given community, though authors cautioned that it's a fine line between reducing health inequities and intensifying them through racial targeting.

Maternal care deserts are a known and increasing problem. Between 2020 and 2022 there's been a 5% increase in counties in the United States that have less maternity access, according to a March of Dimes report. There's a 2% increase in counties that are considered maternity care deserts.

Jeff Lagasse is editor of Healthcare Finance News.
Email: jlagasse@himss.org
Healthcare Finance News is a HIMSS Media publication.