Historical Claims Literature Review Paper: Black Maternal Health

Mistrust among Black women toward the medical system is evident across many eras of reproductive history, and the generational mistreatment of their reproductive health continues to harm their mental well-being and family health in the 21st century. Even with the advancement of modern medicine, Black women and babies are dying at a higher rate than other ethnic groups. Medicine has long been used to stereotype Black women's physical and emotional resilience, sexuality, and capacity for motherhood. The interplay of race, socioeconomic power, and institutional knowledge has worked to preserve an inequitable and oppressive framework governing Black women's reproductive rights. This article reviews literature on the history of reproduction as it relates to Black women, as well as studies examining culturally sensitive approaches aimed at improving provider-patient interactions and reducing maternal and infant mortality. The results indicate that historical constructions of race and the persistence of racial stereotypes continue to shape the practices of today's medical professionals. By understanding how these stereotypes developed and how they intersect with race and socioeconomic status, we can foster new frameworks that improve outcomes for Black women and their families.