Before COVID-19, Black women were already facing an ongoing public health crisis that has led to an alarmingly high rate of preventable, maternal deaths.
Black women are around 3 times more likely to die from pregnancy complications than non-Hispanic white women, and there is an increased likelihood of morbidity among Black women. COVID-19 threatens to exacerbate these disparities unless the pandemic response centers the needs of Black birthing people. The world is undertaking an unprecedented effort to develop a COVID-19 vaccine faster than any vaccine has ever been developed. But, as a recent report from the Center for American Progress outlined, the pandemic cannot be stopped unless measures to prevent and treat the coronavirus considers the health needs of everyone, including Black, pregnant people.
The above excerpt was originally published in Essence.
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