Did you know that Black women in the U.S. are 3-4 times more likely to experience hypertensive disorders during pregnancy, leading to higher rates of maternal morbidity and mortality? These complications not only affect pregnancy outcomes but also pose long-term health risks, including cardiovascular disease later in life. As we observe Black Maternal Health Week, this episode of Higher Education with Dr. B Fran will shine a spotlight on the structural racism that drives these disparities for hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. Dr. B Fran will explore the intersection of structural racism and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, a major contributor to maternal morbidity and mortality in the U.S. diving deep into how systemic inequities—ranging from discrimination in healthcare settings to environmental pollutants in marginalized neighborhoods—disproportionately affect Black women and their health outcomes.

We’ll discuss the history of how race has been biologized in medical research, how structural issues like food insecurity and poor access to healthcare impact coping mechanisms, and the devastating effects of noise pollution, particularly from police sirens, on maternal health. By understanding the interconnected nature of these factors, we examine how addressing structural racism is key to reducing health disparities and improving the well-being of Black pregnant people. This episode calls for systemic solutions to dismantle the harmful barriers that perpetuate these inequities. Tune in for an insightful conversation about how we can better support Black women through changes in policy, community infrastructure, and healthcare practices to combat the growing crisis of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy.

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