Black Maternal Health week highlights disparities in care for pregnant women of color

Black Maternal Health week highlights disparities in care for pregnant women of color Wednesday wraps up Black Maternal Health Week, which is meant to shine a light on issues Black women face during and after pregnancy. PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY, Md. – Wednesday wraps up Black Maternal Health Week, which is meant to shine a light on issues Black women face during and after pregnancy. “There’s a real, tangible fear that happens to Black women when they go to deliver their child,” said Prince George’s County councilmember Krystal Oriadha. And that fear is not unfounded. According to the Centers for Disease Control, Black women are three times more likely to die from a pregnancy-related cause than white women and research has shown this to be true despite age or economic status. The top causes of death are hemorrhage and heart issues, as well as preeclampsia. Black women also deal with higher instances of diabetes and hypertension, with Prince George’s County leading the way in maternal mortality rates in the state of Maryland. “When we talk about what Prince George’s County has, our numbers are horrible,” Oriadha said. “Some people think because we’re in Prince George’s County, we’re supposed to be known...