(The Dallas Examiner) – “Too many people die due to pregnancy-related causes,” stated Wanda Barfield, MD, MPH, FAAP, RADM, USPHS, director of the Division of Reproductive Health.
Black women are three times more likely to die from a pregnancy-related cause than White women, she explained. The rate is due to facts that include variations in the quality of health care, underlying chronic conditions, structural racism and implicit bias.
“More than 80% of pregnancy-related deaths could be prevented with one or more reasonable changes. Black maternal mortality is a public health crisis that demands a public outcry and action, Barfield discussed during the Working to Improve the Health of Black Communities: Addressing Cancer and Maternal Mortality Disparities hosted by the Centers for Disease Control.
Experts from the CDC’s National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion discussed the organization’s work to address health issues disproportionately affecting Black communities. The discussion highlighted the latest data, successful prevention initiatives, and health equity opportunities.
Barfield touched on the CDC’s recently released vital signs report. It found that 33% of Black women reported mistreatment while receiving maternity care. Common types of mistreatments that were reported included receiving no response to requests for help, being shouted at or scolded and not having physical privacy protected.
“Respectful care, in maternity care, means dignity, privacy and confidentiality,” Barfield stated, “It ensures freedom from harm and mistreatment, and it allows for shared decision-making and continuous support during labor and childbirth.”
She encouraged people who are pregnant or were pregnant in the last year to talk to their health care provider if they experience any concerns. She also encouraged health care professionals to listen to their patients and take time to address any concerns they may have.
“It’s important that we recognize unconscious bias and to work to improve cultural awareness as we strive to provide quality care,” the director expressed.
The Black community has the highest death rate of cancer overall. Black people have a lower overall five-year cancer survival rate than White people. Blacks are also more likely than Whites to be diagnosed with female breast, lung and colorectal cancers at a late stage, according to the CDC.
“Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related death among Black and African American men and women in the U.S.,” stated Lisa C. Richardson, MD, MPH, director of the Division of Cancer Prevention and Control.
“One thousand forty-three people will die today from cancer. In my mind, that’s a crisis.”
Family history is a factor in cancer diagnosis and outcomes.
“If you’ve had cancer in your family, you need to let the provider seeing you know because that will increase the chances that you might get cancer and get it at a younger age,” Richardson said.
She explained that cancer-related deaths in Blacks have improved over the years but remain persistent.
“Many of the important factors that impact health, are where you live, work, play, pray,” the director stated, “Being healthy is more than just having access to medical care. It includes education, the types of jobs people have, relationships, and whether people have access to safe places to exercise and access to healthy foods to eat.
Richardson discussed a study that looked at communities and life expectancy. The study found that five counties along the same highway had different life expectancies, one as much as a seven-year difference. Richardson explained that these results were likely due to multiple social, economic, and environmental factors.
“A few miles can make a world of difference in how long we live,” she said, “Across short distances in cities and rural areas, you find big differences in neighborhoods and how long we live.
The CDC is currently working in and with communities to bring partners together to improve public health. Richardson discussed the National Breast and Cervical Early Detection and the Colorectal Cancer Control programs, which have increased the number of breast, cervical, and colon screenings in low-income communities or communities with few health care providers.
Richardson closed with Biden’s Cancer Moonshot initiative. She said it aims to diagnose cancer sooner; prevent cancer; address inequities; target the proper treatment for the right people, speed up the progress against deadly cancers; support patients, caregivers and survivors; and learn from all patients.