How Prejudice Puts Pregnant Black Women at Risk

Roni Caryn RabinMaternal Health Report

Black women are three times more likely to die from pregnancy complications than white women. I've spoken with dozens of people about their medical care during pregnancy.

Here's what they told me →

Erin Schaff /The New York Times

One ​​of the biggest complaints from black women was that doctors dismissed what they said about their health .

Researchers have found that doctors report their disbelief more often in the medical records of black patients, compared to white patients, noting in quotes that they had a " reaction” to medications or using words like “asserts” or “insists.”

Studies suggest that doctors dominate conversations with black patients more than with white patients, asking fewer questions and showing less empathy. p>

“There was no supportive tone. It was more like, “Keep moving.” It happens all the time.'”

— Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn, 51, New York congresswoman who had a miscarriage in a Manhattan hospital< /p>< p>James Estrin/The New York Times

Making assumptions

In my interviews, many black people...