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CHICAGO, IL – Black women under the age of 24 are more likely to experience severe childbirth complications than White women over the age of 35 – an age group usually considered high risk, according to new data from the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association (BCBSA). Data shows the rates of childbirth complications have been increasing for women of color. In the last two years, the rate of Hispanic women with severe childbirth complications increased 19%.
“There is an urgent maternal health crisis in our country,” said Kim Keck, president and CEO of BCBSA. “It is unconscionable that women of color face a greater risk of childbirth complications compared to White women. We must confront health disparities across the board to change the trajectory.”
The recent study examines the rate of childbirth complications as measured by the CDC’s Severe Maternal Morbidity Measure (SMM)—21 different adverse events or unexpected outcomes from labor and delivery with significant short- or long-term consequences to a woman’s health, and in some cases, may lead to death.
“The disparities we see in maternal health care are the result of a complex fabric of social, racial and economic injustice – and require a new system of health caring, not just health care,” said Keck. “Every mother deserves to have the best care at every stage of their pregnancy. Therefore, Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies have committed to reducing racial disparities in maternal health by 50% in five years.”
BCBSA is actively leaning into new and longstanding relationships with community organizations to address root causes of inequities. BCBSA continues to advocate for public policies at the state and federal levels to improve access to health coverage and supports efforts like the Momnibus Act of 2021 – a set of bills that will save the lives of new and expecting moms.
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