Racial Disparities in Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes

Excessive maternal morbidity and mortality among racial and ethnic minorities in the United States, specifically African American women, is a major public health concern. Disparities remain across socioeconomic and educational backgrounds and are the result of institutional racism. This chapter presents an overview of the various disparities in obstetric morbidity experienced by racial and ethnic minorities. Examination of causal factors may provide opportunities for improvement in the way care is provided to this population with the goal of improving outcomes.