Racial Disparities in Maternity Care Leading to Medical Mistakes

Racial Disparities in Maternity Care Leading to Medical Mistakes

Racial disparities in maternity care don’t happen by accident. In many cases, they stem from a mix of unequal access to care, poor living conditions, and harmful assumptions. Black women and other women of color in Chicago face the highest risks during pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum. Unfortunately, even when they speak up or have insurance, they still commonly receive care that is inferior of that provided to others.

Access to Quality Care, AKA “Medical Deserts”

Some neighborhoods in Chicago lack nearby hospitals or clinics that offer maternity care. These areas, often called medical deserts, force pregnant women – particularly those on the South and West Sides – to travel long distances for prenatal visits or emergency care. This can put mothers’ lives and their babies’ health at risk.

According to ABC News in Chicago, doctors at Howard Brown Health report that zip codes often determine who can receive fast, reliable care and who can’t. In some cases, patients must travel across the city to see a provider who accepts their insurance. Not all expectant mothers can travel, especially those without access to a car or reliable public transportation. Additionally, some clinics cover the cost of rides, but many do not.

Longer travel times, fewer appointment options, and overloaded hospitals make it easier for doctors to miss severe health problems in patients with worse access. These gaps in care increase the likelihood of preventable problems during pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum recovery.

Socioeconomic Factors: How Do They Contribute?

Money, housing, and food access all affect how safe a pregnancy will be. Black women in Chicago face higher risks in part because they are more likely to live in under-resourced areas. Many of these women work jobs that don’t offer paid time off or health insurance, which makes it harder to travel to regular doctor visits or recover after giving birth.

The City of Chicago notes that housing problems, such as mold or overcrowding, can also harm pregnant women’s health, as can the lack of access to healthy food or clean drinking water. These problems don’t come from personal choices – they reflect systems in place that hinder access to basic needs.

Even women with college degrees or high incomes can still face racial bias. For example, doctors are more likely to ignore pain or delay needed treatments for women of color. One doctor in Chicago explained that some providers wrongly assume that Black women feel less pain, which can lead to misdiagnoses, mistreatment, and even fatalities.

Examples of Medical Errors That Could Be Prevented

Some maternal deaths and injuries happen due to a healthcare provider’s mistake. These medical errors often involve poor judgment, lack of follow-up, or bias. Below are some examples of preventable medical mistakes that can harm pregnant women, especially women of color:

  • Failing to diagnose preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, or infections in a timely manner
  • Delaying treatment for high blood pressure or heavy bleeding
  • Ignoring or minimizing a patient’s reported symptoms or pain
  • Releasing a patient too soon after delivery without proper discharge instructions
  • Failing to explain the risks of medication or adjust a dosage based on pregnancy
  • Not recognizing urgent maternal warning signs, like difficulty breathing
  • Hospital staff miscommunicating during labor and delivery
  • Not providing interpreters or clear communication for non-English-speaking patients

Contact a Birth Inequality Injury Lawyer at Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. Now

If you believe racial bias or unequal treatment in your medical care caused a severe injury during pregnancy, birth, or postpartum recovery, now is the time to explore your legal options.

The experienced birth injury attorneys at Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. stand up for families harmed by unfair treatment in our healthcare system. We have recovered more than $2.5 billion on behalf of our clients, including a $75 million birth injury jury verdict.

Contact us today for a free consultation to discuss your legal options and seek the justice you deserve.

Patrick A. Salvi II joined Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. in 2007 and was named Managing Partner of the Chicago office in 2017. He concentrates his legal practice on cases concerning personal injury, medical malpractice, mass torts, and product liability.