Sep 12, 2024 Story by: Editor
BOSTON — A recent report has highlighted a troubling racial disparity regarding cesarean sections (C-sections), revealing that doctors are more inclined to perform them on Black mothers.
In an extensive study involving nearly 1 million births across 68 hospitals in New Jersey, researchers found that obstetricians were more likely to carry out unnecessary C-sections on Black mothers compared to their white counterparts. Specifically, Black women were approximately 25% more likely to undergo a C-section overall.
As reported by the New York Times, some experts suggest that concerns about racial bias may lead doctors to hasten C-sections for Black women. Additionally, there may be a perception that Black women are less likely to advocate for their needs, and if they do voice concerns, those concerns may not be taken as seriously. The study also indicated that additional surgeries on Black patients were more frequent when operating rooms were empty or available, hinting at a possible financial motivation for hospitals to maximize the use of their ORs.
Unnecessary C-sections can expose women to a range of avoidable complications, including excessive bleeding, infection, blood clots, and damage to organs. Source: CBS News
