A large new study suggests that doctors are more likely to perform unnecessary cesarean sections on Black women compared to white women with similar medical histories. The research, analyzing nearly one million births across 68 New Jersey hospitals, found that even when seeing the same doctor at the same hospital, Black mothers were about 20% more likely to have a C-section than white mothers with comparable risk factors.
The study indicates that racial bias may be influencing medical decision-making, particularly when hospitals have no scheduled C-sections and operating rooms are empty. This unnecessary surgery puts Black women at higher risk for serious complications like ruptured surgical wounds.
Janet Currie, a health economist at Princeton University and co-author of the study, noted: “Physicians may have certain beliefs about Black women. They might not be listening to Black women as much, or be more afraid that something will go wrong.” The reasons for this disparity are not entirely clear. Doctors may rush to C-sections for Black women due to concerns about known racial disparities in childbirth outcomes. Black women may feel less empowered to challenge doctors’ recommendations or have their concerns dismissed when they do speak up.
This research highlights a significant racial disparity in maternal healthcare. It suggests that addressing unconscious bias among healthcare providers and improving communication with Black patients could help reduce unnecessary C-sections and associated health risks for Black mothers.
See “Doctors Give Black Women Unneeded C-Sections to Fill Operating Rooms, Study Suggests” (September 10, 2024)
