Do No Harm: Addressing Race-Based Medical Practices in Childbirth
Do No Harm: Addressing Race-Based Medical Practices in Childbirth
Summary
Table of contents
Race-based medical practices and unconscious bias contribute to the high mortality rates of black women during childbirth.
Serena Williams and Dr. Bayo Curry-Winchell share their experiences of being dismissed by healthcare providers despite experiencing severe pain.
Unconscious bias leads to under-recognition of pain on black faces, resulting in inadequate pain treatment.
The VBAC score, used to assess the likelihood of a successful vaginal birth after a C-section, included race as a factor, which biased the results against black women.
Black women are more likely to undergo C-sections, which carry a higher risk of death compared to vaginal births.
The color of one's skin does not change the internal organs or functions in the body, as race is a social construct.
The VBAC score was revised in 2021 to remove race and ethnicity from its calculation.
Despite the revision, established practices take time to change, and the VBAC score still impacts the care given to black women.
Healthcare workers must educate themselves and advocate against race-based medical practices.
Uncomfortable conversations about racial inequities are necessary to create change.
The oath of "Do no harm" extends beyond medical interventions to addressing race-based disparities in healthcare.
Speaking up, examining unconscious biases, and challenging racial inequities are crucial for improving health outcomes for all.
Detail
Race-Based Medical Practices and Unconscious Bias: A Threat to Black Women's Health in Childbirth
Despite advancements in healthcare, black women in the United States face a sobering reality: they are more likely to die during childbirth or shortly thereafter compared to white women. This disparity cannot be solely attributed to lack of access to quality care, as even those with access, like Serena Williams, have nearly fallen victim to this alarming trend.
Unconscious Bias: A Hidden Danger
Unconscious bias refers to the social stereotypes we hold about certain groups of people, which can lead to damaging outcomes for those groups. In healthcare, unconscious bias can manifest in the under-recognition of pain on black faces, resulting in inadequate pain treatment. Studies have shown that healthcare providers are less likely to treat pain appropriately in black patients compared to white patients, contributing to higher risks during childbirth.
The VBAC Score: A Case of Racial Bias
The VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean) score is an assessment tool used to determine a woman's probability of having a successful vaginal birth after a previous C-section. However, the original VBAC score included race as a factor, which biased the results against black women. This bias led to more C-sections being performed on black women, a procedure that carries a significantly higher risk of death compared to vaginal births.
The Fallacy of Race-Based Medicine
The color of one's skin does not change the internal organs or functions in the body. Race is a social construct, meaning it is a concept invented by humans and has no biological or genetic basis. Despite this, race-based medical practices have persisted in healthcare, perpetuating harmful stereotypes and inequitable outcomes.
The Need for Change
To address the alarming mortality rates of black women during childbirth, we must confront race-based medical practices and unconscious bias within our healthcare systems. Healthcare workers must educate themselves about the fallacies of race-based medicine and actively advocate against its use. They must also challenge their own unconscious biases and have uncomfortable conversations about racial inequities to create a more just and equitable healthcare system.
The Power of Speaking Up
As patients, we have a responsibility to speak up when we see, hear, or experience racial inequities in healthcare. By doing so, we can raise awareness and demand change. We must also take the time to examine our own unconscious biases and how they may impact our interactions with others.
Do No Harm: A Call to Action
The oath of "Do no harm" extends beyond medical interventions to addressing race-based disparities in healthcare. As healthcare providers, we must actively challenge these disparities and advocate for the well-being of all patients, regardless of their race or ethnicity. As patients, we must hold healthcare providers accountable for providing equitable care and speak up against any form of discrimination. By working together, we can create a healthcare system that truly does no harm and ensures that all women, including black women, have the best possible chance of a safe and healthy childbirth experience.
Frequently asked questions
Why do black women die in childbirth over three times more than white women?
- While lack of access to quality care is a significant factor, unconscious bias and race-based medical practices also contribute to this disparity.
What is unconscious bias?
- Unconscious bias refers to the social stereotypes we hold about certain groups of people, which can lead to damaging outcomes for those groups.
How does unconscious bias impact healthcare for black women?
- Healthcare workers may not readily recognize pain on black faces, leading to inadequate pain treatment and higher risks during childbirth.
What is the VBAC score and how did it affect black women?
- The VBAC score is an assessment tool used to determine a woman's probability of having a successful vaginal birth after a C-section. However, it included race as a factor, which biased the results against black women, leading to more C-sections and increased risks.
