Maternal Mortality  

In the United States, Black women are nearly three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than women of other races. While Maine is not typically the first place people think of when discussing this issue, the problem remains significant here. I want to bring the conversation closer to home to SMCC show why students should care. Maternal health is not just a distant policy issue. It affects families, future parents, and the communities students will live and work in.

Across the country, the causes of high maternal mortality among Black women include limited access to healthcare lower quality care, and bias in the medical field. Even in well equipped hospitals, Black women may feel that their concerns are dismissed or minimized. Research has shown that Black patients are sometimes not believed when they describe pain or symptoms, which can lead to serious problems being missed. While Maine has a smaller Black population than other states that does not mean the issue goes away. In fact, being a minority in a mostly white state can sometimes make patients feel even more unheard. 

The roots of this issue are deeply tied to history. For many years, black women were treated unfairly and used in harmful medical experiments. This created a long-lasting mistrust of the healthcare system that still affects families today. 

This topic is especially important on campus with the amount of students in the nursing program, here at SMCC. Many students here are training to become nurses, and this is most likely not new information to them. They are already learning how to care for patients, listen to concerns, and make quick decisions. But what they learn now will shape the kind of care they give in the future. As future nurses, they will be the ones in delivery rooms, clinics, and hospitals helping pregnant patients through some of the most important moments of their lives. Because of this, nursing students are in a powerful position to be part of the solution. One way to help reduce maternal mortality is by requiring doctors and nurses to complete implicit bias training. Implicit bias training would improve patient outcomes. Some states have already started doing this. Training like this helps healthcare workers recognize their own assumptions and treat every patient fairly. It encourages providers to listen more closely take concerns seriously and make sure everyone receives the same quality of care. Over time, this can improve patient safety and help build trust. 

The idea that future healthcare experiences may be affected by bias can feel very real and personal. For nursing students in Maine, this means their presence, awareness, and compassion can make a real difference. Maternal mortality is something that can affect any community, and today’s college students will one day care for future patients.

Works Cited

Cooper, Lisa A. “Mandated Implicit Bias Training for Health Professionals-A Step toward Equity in Health Care.” JAMA Health Forum, JAMA Network, 11 Aug. 2022, jamanetwork.com/journals/jama-health-forum/fullarticle/2795358.