Black Moms Still Face 'Death Gap' In New Jersey. Here's Why, Health Expert Says

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — Economic barriers. Food insecurity. Limited access to health care. These are some of the problems that are contributing to a persistent “mortality gap” for Black mothers in the United States, advocates say – including New Jersey.

Each year, Black Maternal Health Week is recognized from April 11 to 17 to amplify the need to address maternal health care disparities. Despite this ongoing focus, Black women continue to experience disproportionately high maternal mortality rates, with the U.S. rate nearly three times higher than that of any other racial group, according to a 2023 report from the National Center for Health Statistics.

The trend has also been seen in New Jersey, which has been battling a severe racial death gap for years.

According to recent studies, Black mothers are seven times more likely than white mothers to die from pregnancy-related complications. Meanwhile, Hispanic women in New Jersey experience twice the rate of infant mortality compared to white women.

• Related: New Jersey's Infants, Moms Face ‘Mortality Gap’
• Related: Here’s The Plan To Fix New Jersey’s 'Racist' Infant Mortality Gap

“In New Jersey, 91 percent of all maternal deaths are considered preventable, with 53 percent occurring postpartum,” said Dr. Nastassia Harris, founder of the Perinatal Health Equity Initiative.

Two years ago, the East Orange-based nonprofit highlighted the case of Dreeah Austin, a30-year-old Newark resident who suffered a seizure, lost consciousness and died after giving birth just two weeks prior.

“According to the CDC, pulmonary embolism is the sixth leading cause of maternal death and the third leading cause of death for Black women,” the nonprofit reported. “Dreeah had a medical history of blood clots, a condition that requires careful monitoring and follow-up care. However, in the two weeks following her birth, Dreeah did not have any contact with her health care provider, a failure that highlights systemic issues in postpartum care.”

• Related: Essex County Mom’s Death Is Latest Tragedy In Grim NJ Trend, Advocates Say
• Related: Doctors Are Giving Unneeded C-Sections To Black Moms In NJ: Study

Other New Jersey advocates have warned about the persistent mortality gap, including Damali Campbell-Oparaji, an associate professor in the department of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive health at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School.

To help spotlight Black Maternal Health Week, Campbell-Oparaji recently answered some questions about the state’s ongoing mortality gap – and what could be behind it.

The following Q&A session comes courtesy of Rutgers Health:

There continues to be growing attention on Black maternal health. Where have you seen meaningful progress and where do gaps remain?

Over the past decade, people across the country have become increasingly concerned about maternal health, especially the health and safety of Black mothers. In New Jersey, we continue to see significant racial and ethnic gaps in both maternal and infant health.

While there has been some progress, including increased awareness, greater engagement from community and women’s health organizations, more involvement from pregnant women and their families and policy efforts such as the Momnibus Act aimed at reducing preventable maternal deaths, many agree that a person’s race or zip code should never determine whether they have a healthy pregnancy or postpartum experience. Families want real, lasting improvement.

We often talk about disparities in Black maternal health. Can you elaborate on what that means and how those disparities show up in patient settings?

Studies show that four out of five maternal deaths that occur after childbirth are preventable, with Black women being three times more likely to die from pregnancy related complications than white women. These differences in outcomes, known as disparities, are not due to biology but are driven by unequal circumstances and barriers that some communities face more than others. The United States has a higher maternal mortality rate than many developed countries, and one key difference is that families here often face significantly higher out-of-pocket health care costs.

What are some challenges Black mothers face during pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum – and what should patients and families be aware of to help ensure timely care?

Black mothers often face challenges during pregnancy that make it harder to get early and consistent prenatal care. These include transportation issues, work schedules that don’t allow time for appointments, lack of childcare, food insecurity and housing instability.

Even when these issues are less of a factor, for example, among college-educated Black women, maternal health outcomes are still unequal. This points to deeper causes, such as chronic stress, the long-term effects of racism and the impact of not feeling heard in health care settings.

Another ongoing challenge is making sure Black moms feel listened to, respected and confident in the evidence-based care available to them. Patients and families should also be aware of warning signs that require medical attention including severe headaches, sudden swelling of hands and feet, trouble breathing and extreme exhaustion.

As we recognize Black Maternal Health Week, which runs from April 11 to 17, what actions are needed to create lasting change?

It’s clear that improving outcomes requires a multipronged approach. Health systems, community organizations, policymakers and individuals have a role to play. Raising awareness, supporting families and taking meaningful action can help create the lasting change New Jersey families deserve.

For those looking to take action, that can start with becoming more informed about structural racism and health inequities in the U.S. For providers, this includes engaging with research such as the Listening to Mothers Study and committing to ongoing implicit bias training regarding race ethnicity. For community members, it means helping pregnant patients advocate for themselves, encouraging them to ask questions, developing a birth and postpartum plan and working with their care team to address risks such as anemia, preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, stress and sleep challenges.

• Related: New Jersey Doula Shares 5 Stigmas Pregnant Black Women Face
• Related: NJ Mothers Fight Maternal Race Gap With New Center, Breastfeeding Advocacy

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