A new study finds that people of color often experience different treatment during and after their pregnancy than do their white counterparts in encounters with a health-care provider.
Almost one-third of Black or Hispanic patients reported incidents such as receiving no response to requests for help, being shouted at or scolded, or not having their physical privacy protected. Some reported being threatened with withholding treatment or made to accept unwanted treatment.
Unfortunately, said Lauren Lancaster, maternal child health manager at the Indiana Minority Health Coalition, these reports are nothing new.
“It has been happening for years – for generations, honestly,” she said. “I would say that because of the increased awareness that is going on, there is more of a presence of reporting these issues and getting them out into the limelight.”
Lancaster said the coalition has a “three-doula” program in northern Indiana. The doulas work primarily with minority patients, through birth as well as postpartum, as a source of emotional and educational support. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggested that health-care systems make it a priority to support care that’s respectful and considerate of the patient’s values, needs and desires.
Mistreatment is part of a pattern of inequality in medical care that can have a troubling outcome on pregnancies. In the most recent report for Indiana, in 2020, the maternal mortality ratio for Black women was 208 per 100,000 live births, compared with 108 for white women and 71 for Latina women.
Lancaster noted that there is something a patient can do if she believes she isn’t receiving proper assistance and guidance during pregnancy.
“At the end of the day, you are the patient,” she said. “So, if you feel that you are not being heard, or you’re being mistreated, please report that. You have the ability or capability. Please, find a provider that best suits you – that listens to you – so you can get the help that you need.”
The IU Public Policy Institute report included data from Indiana’s Maternal Mortality Review Committee, which found that discrimination contributes to 8% of pregnancy-related deaths in the state.
5 comments
Bull crap. Not like lifestyle choices have anything to do with it. What a load of horse hockey. This study is just institutional race bating. It’s like global schmarming 98% of scientists agree with whoever is funding their study.
I have a graduate degree in statistics. When i see these ‘studies’ I am in dismay ? How many folks were studies? What questions were asked ? Did you compare same medical facility with same insurance comparing black and white patients? If you compare the experience of rich blacks to rich whites ( Say a member of ALF-CIO teamsters with same health plan at same hospital did they get different treatment?? Bet big bucks they got the same. THESE stories are harmful to the Republic as they create animosity and false perceptions of racism where it does not exist
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Does the “lack of care” have anything to do with the method of paying for the services. Anyone on Medicaid or Medicare realizes that the doctors or hospitals have been forced to accept a lower payment for care. So some of that care will be eliminated just to keep the money flowing. Likely those hated and evil white people sucking up all the good stuff have private insurance connected with their EMPLOYMENT that provides a better quality of care. OR they just have the ability to pay for it directly. If you depend on the government for anything expect to get less of it.
good point These “studies” do not report how the “studies” were conducted. Many $ grants are given to create a study with a pre determined conclusion
Last time I looked, the healthcare staffing was very “diverse”, so who EXACTLY is perpetuating these heinous racist crimes on these poor innocent souls who I am sure never did anything at all to deserve that treatment?