Global disparities in maternal morbidity and mortality

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Global Health Equity
• Reproductive Health

Background:

• Significant racial disparities in maternal mortality exist, especially for African American women in the United States, highlighting a critical public health inequity.
• Many middle- and high-income nations with multiethnic populations share similar histories of slavery and forced migration, contributing to health outcome disparities based on race/ethnicity.
• Existing data collection often fails to capture race/ethnicity/country of origin meaningfully, hindering transnational comparisons and the development of translatable solutions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze global disparities in maternal mortality and "near misses" across race/ethnicity in middle- and high-income countries.
• To compare maternal mortality trends between the US and Brazil, focusing on populations of African descent and the impact of historical factors like the transatlantic slave trade.
• To advocate for a human rights-based approach, aligning with Sustainable Development Goals, to address systemic inequities in women's health.

Main Methods:

• Global comparative analysis of maternal mortality and morbidity data, focusing on middle- and high-income countries.
• Examination of social determinants of health, including race, class, and gender, as factors influencing maternal health outcomes.
• Case study comparison between the United States and Brazil, analyzing racial/ethnic disparities in maternal health.

Main Results:

• Racial and ethnic disparities in maternal mortality and morbidity are a pervasive global issue, exacerbated by histories of slavery and forced migration.
• Countries like the US and Brazil, with large populations of African descent, exhibit significant maternal health inequities.
• Effective solutions necessitate nuanced data collection on race/ethnicity/country of origin to enable comparative analysis and identify transferable interventions.

Conclusions:

• Addressing maternal mortality inequities requires a global perspective that acknowledges shared histories and systemic discrimination.
• Implementing nation-specific, human rights-based strategies is crucial for achieving health equity in maternal care.
• Improved data collection and analysis are essential for understanding and mitigating racial/ethnic disparities in maternal health outcomes worldwide.