Black people at higher risk of severe complications during pregnancy, labor, and the postpartum period
Black people in Canada have an increased risk of severe maternal morbidity (SMM)—serious complications that can occur during pregnancy, labor or delivery, and postpartum—compared with white people, according to new research published in Canadian Medical Association Journal.
Research in the Canadian Medical Association Journal reveals that Black women in Canada face a significantly higher risk of severe complications during pregnancy, labor, and the postpartum period compared to their white counterparts. The study, which analyzed data from nearly 1.5 million births from 2012 to 2023, found that the rate of severe maternal morbidity was 47.8 per 1,000 births for Black women, compared to 27.7 per 1,000 for white women.
After adjusting for differences in sociodemographic and clinical factors, Black women had a 66% increased risk of experiencing severe complications. The disparities were consistent across all types of severe maternal morbidity, including preeclampsia, hemorrhage, sepsis, heart conditions, uterine rupture, and kidney failure. Importantly, income level and immigration status did not explain the disparity.
Dr. Giulia Muraca, a perinatal epidemiologist at McMaster University, noted that being Black is not a cause of severe pregnancy complications. Instead, the findings point to the need for further investigation into social, structural, and health care factors that contribute to inequities in maternal health. Dr. Cynthia Maxwell, co-lead of the Black Reproductive Health Working Group, emphasized that race is a social construct and that anti-Black racism plays a role in these inequities.
The study's authors recommend responsible collection and use of race information in health data, public reporting of race-disaggregated data, accountability for tracking progress, antiracism training, and partnerships with Black communities to co-design programs that ensure access to high-quality care throughout pregnancy and the postpartum period.
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