Apr 28, 2026 05:09 PM
Racism and socioeconomic stress may alter pregnancy biology, leaving black women nearly three times more likely to die
https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1125522
INTRO: Stresses experienced by black women, such as socioeconomic inequalities, may alter key processes in the body that predispose them to worse pregnancy outcomes than white women, a study by the University of Cambridge has found.
These altered physiological processes may lead to higher rates of preeclampsia in black women, and higher rates of preterm birth and fetal growth restriction in black babies, compared to white women and their babies.
In a major review of published studies, the researchers looked at a range of processes that are vital in the body during pregnancy - including the control of inflammation, and blood flow to the developing fetus. They found these processes are often altered in ways linked to poorer pregnancy outcomes in black women, compared to white women.
These are not the result of genetic differences between black and white women. Instead, the results suggest that persistent socio-environmental stressors - known to have a measurable biological effect - may influence the body’s ability to function healthily during pregnancy.
Black women and their babies face significantly higher health risks during pregnancy and childbirth than white women. Black women in the UK are 2.7 times more likely to die during pregnancy compared with white women, and black babies are more than twice as likely to die before their first birthday as white babies.
Until now, the biological pathways that may help explain the link between socioeconomic inequalities and poorer pregnancy outcomes in black women have received little attention. (MORE - no ads)
https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1125522
INTRO: Stresses experienced by black women, such as socioeconomic inequalities, may alter key processes in the body that predispose them to worse pregnancy outcomes than white women, a study by the University of Cambridge has found.
These altered physiological processes may lead to higher rates of preeclampsia in black women, and higher rates of preterm birth and fetal growth restriction in black babies, compared to white women and their babies.
In a major review of published studies, the researchers looked at a range of processes that are vital in the body during pregnancy - including the control of inflammation, and blood flow to the developing fetus. They found these processes are often altered in ways linked to poorer pregnancy outcomes in black women, compared to white women.
These are not the result of genetic differences between black and white women. Instead, the results suggest that persistent socio-environmental stressors - known to have a measurable biological effect - may influence the body’s ability to function healthily during pregnancy.
Black women and their babies face significantly higher health risks during pregnancy and childbirth than white women. Black women in the UK are 2.7 times more likely to die during pregnancy compared with white women, and black babies are more than twice as likely to die before their first birthday as white babies.
Until now, the biological pathways that may help explain the link between socioeconomic inequalities and poorer pregnancy outcomes in black women have received little attention. (MORE - no ads)