The United States of America (USA) remains one of the most dangerous countries to give birth

From the website below:

‘Despite a national healthcare expenditure of $4.9 trillion in 20231, birthing people in the USA are 10 times more likely to die of childbirth-related complications than people in equally resourced nations. When viewed through a racialized lens, Black women are disproportionately more likely to die from childbirth-related complications than their white, Latinx or Asian counterparts.

‘This disparity also extends to infants: while the national infant mortality rate in the USA is 5.6 deaths per 1000 live births, the rate for Black babies was nearly double at 10.9 deaths per 1000 live births in 2022. Preterm birth and low birth weight remain two of the top contributing factors to infant mortality, only surpassed by birth defects.

‘Across the public health landscape, it is well-established that racism is a social determinant of health, one of several non-medical factors that impact a person’s health. It perpetuates disparities and threatens health equity. Experiences of racism in healthcare settings have been documented throughout history, yet only recently have those experiences begun to influence policy and systemic change for the protection of Black people and other historically marginalized communities.

‘For over 50 years, The National Black Child Development Institute (NBCDI) has championed the rights and well-being of Black children and their families. Our work is guided by the Eight Essential Outcomes for Black Child Development, a framework that recognizes the first eight years of life as the most critical and foundational developmental period for children…’

Read more here.