Among industrialized countries, the United States has the highest maternal mortality rate. In Kansas, the maternal mortality rate is 14.8—meaning 14.8 women die for every 100,000 live births. Black women are more likely to die than white or Hispanic women.

Dr. Sharla Smith of the Kansas Birth Equity Network joined Health Fund CEO David Jordan for a conversation on the Black maternal health crisis.

“Black women are two to three times more likely to die of childbirth-related issues than white women,” said Dr. Smith. “We’re seeing that crisis happen in the absence of the social determinants of health. So, Black women from the wealthiest communities still have worse outcomes. Black educated women still have worse outcomes than all other women.”

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