A systematic review and meta-analysis of existing research confirms a significant link between experiences of interpersonal racial discrimination during pregnancy and adverse maternal and infant health outcomes. The study, published in the journal JAMA Network Open, synthesizes data from multiple studies.
The analysis found that pregnant individuals who reported experiencing racial discrimination were at a substantially increased risk of postpartum depression. Researchers also identified a strong association between maternal experiences of discrimination and an elevated risk of delivering infants with low birth weight.
These findings highlight racial discrimination as a critical social determinant of health, contributing to persistent racial disparities in maternal and infant mortality and morbidity. The stress pathway is considered a primary biological mechanism linking discrimination to these health outcomes.
Public health experts emphasize that addressing systemic racism and providing culturally competent care are essential steps toward improving equity in perinatal health outcomes for marginalized communities.
