Promising Progress: Black Women’s Fetal Mortality Rates Decrease by 4% in 2021, Yet Still Double the National Average, According to CDC Report.

The rates for Black women were 9.89 per 1,000, which is higher than the national rate of 5.74 per 1,000.

According to recently released federal data from the National Center for Health Statistics, there was a decline in fetal mortality rates among Black women in 2020. However, it was noted that these rates remained significantly higher compared to other racial and ethnic groups in the United States. The report, based on information from the National Vital Statistics System, focused on fetal deaths, which are defined as deaths occurring at 20 weeks’ gestation or later, affecting approximately 1% of all pregnancies in the U.S.

In their research, scientists discovered that the total number of fetal deaths in 2021 was 21,105, which represented a slight 1% increase from the 20,854 fetal deaths recorded in 2020.

Regarding the rates, there was relatively little change between the two years. In 2021, the rate stood at 5.73 per 1,000 live births and fetal deaths, almost the same as the rate of 5.74 per 1,000 in 2020.

Demographical Data shows variety of collected data per race since 2020 up to 2021.

Dr. Simon Manning, the director of fetal care at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Massachusetts, pointed out that while the number of fetal deaths increased, the crucial factor to consider is that the overall rate remained unchanged. He explained that the number of fetal deaths is influenced by the number of pregnancies, which presumably increased if the rate remained steady. This statement was made during an interview with ABC News.

The report highlighted that among all racial/ethnic groups, only Black women experienced a noteworthy shift in mortality rates, which decreased by 4% from 10.34 to 9.89.

For other groups, including American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian, Hispanic, Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, and white women, there were no significant changes observed in fetal mortality rates.

However, Dr. Simon Manning emphasized the significance of the findings, noting that the rate of 9.89 per 1,000 for Black women is nearly twice as high as the national rate of 5.74 per 1,000 for all women. He pointed out that while there was a slight decrease in deaths for this group, the rate still remains considerably elevated, indicating that more progress is needed to address the disparity.

We can maintain a cautious optimism, but it’s essential to acknowledge that this data is preliminary, and we need to ensure that this decrease is sustained over time, without becoming complacent,” added Manning.

The report did not delve into the reasons behind the decline in fetal mortality rates for Black women, nor did it provide insights into why other groups did not experience significant changes. Manning suggested that there could be multiple factors contributing to these variations, warranting further investigation.

A potential reason for the decline in fetal mortality rates among Black women might be attributed to the racial reckoning that began in the summer of 2020, shedding light on the disparities faced by Black women and other minority groups in comparison to white women.

Dr. Simon Manning suggested that the increased attention on racial disparities could have potentially led to greater efforts in improving access to healthcare and better care for Black women, which could explain the positive trend observed in the data. However, it is important to consider this as a hypothesis, and further research would be necessary to confirm any causal relationship.

Manning emphasized that it is essential not to attribute worse outcomes to genetic or inherent factors in Black pregnant individuals.

Additionally, the report analyzed fetal mortality rates by state and revealed that between 2019 and 2021, the highest rates were observed in Mississippi, with 6.38 per 1,000, as well as in other states located in the South. In contrast, the lowest rates were recorded in New Mexico and Connecticut, with 2.60 per 1,000, along with states in the West and Northeast.

Moreover, the fetal mortality rate for women who smoked during pregnancy was 9.62 per 1,000, which was nearly double the rate observed for women who did not smoke during pregnancy, standing at 5.08 per 1,000.

Dr. Simon Manning explained that smoking causes blood vessels to constrict and negatively impacts fetal growth due to its effect on placental blood flow. He emphasized that there is a direct biological link between smoking and adverse fetal outcomes. This finding serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of quitting smoking, as it is one of the most effective ways to improve both maternal and fetal health.