The Role of Race in Maternal Health

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Last week, the Women and Equality Committee published a report which aimed to get to grips with the problem of racial disparities in maternal health. The report found that too many black women received treatment that for sure have acceptable standards. In 2023, almost four times more likely to die from childbirth than white women in the UK. And MPs found that maternal death rates in the poorest areas of the UK are actually on the rise - particularly worrying.

Experts and campaigners have been pointing out the racial disparities in maternal healthcare for years. The latest report to highlight the issue comes from the House of Commons women and equalities committee. MPs behind the report have condemned the government’s failure to address the gulf in outcomes. So why are black and Asian women still more at risk from childbirth? Madeleine Finlay hears what it can be like to navigate the maternity system as a woman of colour, and speaks to Guardian health editor Andrew Gregory and Prof Shakila Thangaratinam about what lies behind the statistics and what can be done. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/sciencepod