Main Library
Systemic racial biases persistently shape the health care experiences of Black, Latinx and Indigenous populations. These biases are especially pronounced for women of color, influencing everything from diagnosis and family planning to treatment recommendations. In fact, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data show that Black women are two to three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than non-Hispanic White women, with most of the maternal deaths being preventable and harming the population regardless of income and education level.
These alarming trends are present at the earliest stages of life, with Black infants being four times as likely as non-Hispanic White infants to die from complications of low birth weight. When addressing health care disparities, we must acknowledge the role that representation plays in the space. Whether it is decreasing mortality among Black newborns, improving cardiovascular health or simply building trust to further adhere to medical guidelines and create a safe place for patients of color, there is power in representation and what it can do for historically overlooked communities.