Within the same hospital, black and Latina women face a higher risk of experiencing pregnancy-or childbirth-related health issues compared to white women, according to a study published in the journal Obstetrics & Gynecology.
Researchers conducted a population-based study in New York City. They used data from linked 2010-2014 hospital discharge and birth certificate data sets to examine differences in severe maternal morbidity, unexpected outcomes of labor and delivery that result in significant consequences to a woman's health.
They studied 591,455 deliveries and found the severe maternal morbidity rate was higher among black (4.2 percent) and Latina women (2.9 percent) than white women (1.5 percent).
They also found that even within the same hospital, black and Latina women had a significantly higher risk of experiencing severe maternal morbidity compared to white women.