Study links racism-related stress to higher Black maternal mortality rates.
New U.K. research suggests that stress caused by racism may be linked to the disproportionately high maternal mortality rates among Black women.
New research highlights possible links between racism, economic hardship, and the higher maternal mortality rates among Black women.
A team from the University of Cambridge reviewed 44 studies on pregnancy health and found that Black women had increased levels of oxidative stress, inflammation, and uteroplacental vascular resistance—factors associated with poorer outcomes, according to The Guardian. The findings suggest that socioenvironmental pressures, including systemic racism and deprivation, can produce measurable biological effects that may affect the body’s ability to sustain a healthy pregnancy.
“Pregnancy and childbirth already place significant demands on a woman’s body. For Black women, that burden may be intensified by systemic racism, socioeconomic inequality, and environmental stressors,” said Grace Amedor, the study’s lead author from the University of Cambridge.
Published in Trends in Endocrinology and Metabolism, the study shows how the physical demands of pregnancy can disrupt key biological processes, increasing the risk of complications such as preeclampsia. Despite longstanding evidence of disparities, researchers say the lack of meaningful action remains alarming.
“I was surprised that although this disparity had been known for a long time, there was little research into the potential underlying physiological reasons,” said Grace Amedor.
The analysis found that increased uteroplacental vascular resistance—where blood vessels narrow—can reduce blood flow to the placenta, while elevated oxidative stress occurs when harmful molecules overwhelm the body’s defenses. Higher levels of inflammation were also linked to poorer pregnancy outcomes.
Together, these factors are associated with risks such as preeclampsia, preterm birth, and fetal growth restriction, all of which can affect both maternal and infant health. In the United States, Black women are up to 60% more likely to develop preeclampsia—often in more severe forms—due to systemic racism, chronic stress, existing health disparities, and unequal access to care, rather than genetics alone. Research also shows that U.S.-born Black women face greater risks than those born abroad, pointing to the impact of environmental factors.
“It’s important that we continue addressing the root causes of poorer pregnancy outcomes in Black women, including socioeconomic inequality and the systemic racism they may face throughout their lives,” Amedor added.
In the United Kingdom, Black women are 2.7 times more likely to die during childbirth than white women and experience higher rates of severe complications and perinatal mental health conditions. Black babies are also twice as likely to be stillborn.
Researchers say these findings underscore the urgency of tackling the global Black maternal health crisis.
“It’s unacceptable that Black women and babies in the UK continue to face far greater health risks during pregnancy and childbirth compared to white women,” said Jenny Barber of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.
“This study examines how key physiological processes may be affected by systemic racism and socioeconomic disadvantage, which could help explain the persistently poorer outcomes among Black women. We hope these findings will encourage further research in this area.”
