Factors influencing Black Maternal Mortality in the United Kingdom: A systematic review

Simisola Onanuga¹, Teniola Saraki¹, Bola Grace², Mandish Dhanjal³, Richard Pinder¹

¹ School of Public Health, Imperial College London. ² UCL EGA Institute for Women's Health. ³ Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea Hospital, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust.

 

Introduction:

One of the key factors impacting global equity in reproductive health is maternal mortality. A maternal death is defined as a death occurring during pregnancy, childbirth or within six weeks postnatally. Black women in the United Kingdom (UK) are over three times more likely to suffer a maternal death than White women.1 In the UK, the maternal mortality ratio (MMR) is 10.9 women per 100,000. This has significant implications for fertility and reproductive health equity. 

 

Although several studies have sought to identify factors that may contribute to Black maternal mortality, so far these factors have not been investigated in a systematic manner. 

 

This study aims to provide an overview of the factors driving elevated maternal mortality among Black women in the UK and provide policy recommendations to mitigate these disparities....