African-American Maternal Mortality
Infant mortality draws attention to racial inequalities
In Texas, black women are twice as likely to die during childbirth than white women. Research has found that lack of insurance and indications of racial bias among medical staff are blame for this statistic.
In Texas 27.8 per 100,000 black mothers will die during childbirth. "At least 50% to 80% of these deaths are preventable," says Dr. Carla Ortique, vice chair of a task force researching maternal mortality. Shawn Thierry nearly died in labour when nurses didn't react to a botched epidural affecting her heart. According to a University of Virginia report, "Findings are coming out that blacks are less likely to receive pain medication in the E.R".
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