According to a survey unveiled on Tuesday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one out of every five women encountered mistreatment while receiving medical care during their most recent pregnancy.
The survey disclosed that women recounted instances of mistreatment that included verbal abuse, unattended help requests, intrusion upon their physical privacy, and threats of withholding treatment.
Approximately 2,400 women participated in the survey. Among the 20% who reported mistreatment, the demographics were as follows: 30% were Black, 29% were Hispanic, 27% were multiracial, 19% were white, 18% were American Indian/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, and 15% were Asian.
Breaking down the figures further, the survey found that 28% of women without medical insurance and 26% with public insurance reported mistreatment, compared to 16% with private insurance.
Wanda Barfield, Director of the CDC Division of Reproductive Health, shared her perspective: “As a doctor, mother, and Black woman, it is disheartening to hear how common mistreatment is and to see differences in mistreatment and discrimination during maternity care based on things like race and insurance coverage. We know that racism and discrimination can lead to delays in treatment and sometimes tragic and preventable deaths.”
The survey also brought to light that nearly a third of respondents faced discrimination during their maternity care due to factors such as age, weight, income, race, and ethnicity. However, the study did not explore the race of healthcare providers.
An additional key finding indicated that 45% of participants hesitated to approach their healthcare providers with questions or concerns during maternity care. The reasons behind this reluctance ranged from being advised by friends or family that their concerns were normal, a fear of being perceived as troublesome, feeling hesitant to make a fuss, or sensing that the provider was in a rush.
In response to these revelations, the CDC recommends that healthcare systems prioritize diversifying their workforce and enhancing communication with patients.
Barfield pointed out during a media briefing that the report couldn’t definitively establish a direct link between these findings and maternal mortality rates. Despite a 40% surge in maternal-related fatalities in 2021 compared to the previous year, and one of the country’s worst rates of maternal mortality in history, the study’s scope was limited.
“This study doesn’t really reflect that,” Barfield stated. “And I think there’s more that needs to be done in terms of better understanding these causes. But we do know from this study that women are reluctant to report their concerns. And we do know that as a result of not reporting concern, there may be an increased risk for pregnancy-related complications for both mom and baby.”
