A recent review conducted by the Georgia Public Health Department sheds light on a concerning disparity: African American women in Georgia face a significantly higher risk of pregnancy-related deaths compared to other demographics. Data collected from 2018 to 2020 reveals that more than half of all pregnancy-related fatalities in the state occurred among Black women.
Patricia Prime, a mother, doula, and registered nurse, underscored the gravity of the situation, characterizing it as a crisis. “If you don’t understand that we have a maternal mortality crisis within our area, let alone the state, there’s no reason to change if you don’t realize there’s an issue,” Prime emphasized.
Prime, who provides postpartum care to mothers, expressed little surprise at the statistics, noting the existing burdens faced by Black women. “We lead the race when it comes to negative things,” she remarked, linking stress resulting from these disparities to heightened risks of hypertension, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases.
Dr. Emeka Umerah, a seasoned gynecologist at the Women’s Health Institute of Macon, drew attention to the influence of socioeconomic factors on maternal health outcomes. He highlighted the tendency for uninsured women to forego regular check-ups, leading to delayed medical intervention and increased risk levels.
While acknowledging the role of socioeconomic status, Umerah also emphasized the systemic barriers faced by African American women in accessing healthcare and representation within the medical field. “Definitely don’t think there is enough African American representation in healthcare,” he lamented, advocating for greater diversity in the profession.
The Georgia Public Health Department’s report revealed that a staggering 89% of pregnancy-related deaths could have been prevented. Prime, who tragically lost her mother just 21 days after her own birth, stressed the need for heightened awareness of this crisis to ensure better protection for expectant mothers. “If we could grasp that when someone in our family or in our circle becomes pregnant, if we’re given the tools, we may be able to prevent deaths,” she urged.
The North Central Health District, encompassing Macon-Bibb, Houston, Baldwin, and Jones counties, emerged as a hotspot for pregnancy-related deaths in Georgia from 2018 to 2020, with 11 out of 113 reported cases occurring in this region.
