Black Maternal Health Can't Wait Any Longer – Here's What Needs To Change

It’s Black maternal health awareness week – and if you’re wondering how much change has happened in the past five years since mothers like Tinuke Awe began banging the drum for action, the answer is: not enough.Today, MPs are speaking in parliament about what is being done to improve health outcomes for Black women and birthing people. And while talk is needed, it’s clear that so, too, is action.Ahead of the crucial conversation, Tinuke Awe, co-founder of Five X More, told HuffPost UK: “We must move away from promising change and towards transforming the structures that continue to fail Black women.“At Five X More, the conversations we have with Black mothers and birthing people are consistent and clear: real change is urgently needed, and it must move beyond awareness into action.”Black maternal health awareness week was first founded in 2020 by Five X More, an organisation empowering, supporting and advocating for Black women and birthing people.Awe knew there was a need for an advocacy group like hers after she was diagnosed with preeclampsia late in pregnancy and didn’t feel listened to.At the time, she ran a group where parents would get together and discuss pregnancy and motherhood. Through her conversations with others, she discovered so many women had suffered negative experiences. “There were so many other Black mums like me who also experienced negative outcomes given birth within the NHS,” she explained on Five X More’s website.In 2019, damning statistics released by MBRRACE UK found Black women were five times more likely to die in childbirth than white women. “I was shocked,” said Awe of the data, “but I wasn’t surprised due to the stories I heard.”Fast forward to now and change is happening. But is it happening fast enough?Black women are still three times more likely to die during, or in the first year after, pregnancy than white women – and suicide continues to be the leading cause of direct maternal death between six weeks and 12 months after birth.Black mums are also twice as likely to be hospitalised with perinatal mental illness than white mums. Miscarriage rates are 43% higher in Black women – and there is also a disparity between stillbirth rates in Black babies and those of white ethnicities.Discussing the damning statistics earlier this year, Dr Zoe Williams, a mother and NHS doctor, told HuffPost UK: “There’s a real feeling of injustice, which makes me feel so sad and disappointed.“I think myself, as a Black woman who is somebody who works in the NHS and is very proud to work in the NHS – the fact we’re failing Black women in this way, it’s very disappointing.”NHS England is developing a maternity care toolkit to support inclusive and culturally competent practice.In 2023, the government – under Rishi Sunak’s leadership – acknowledged “we must do more” to ensure maternity care is consistent regardless of ethnicity. However it didn’t set a target to end these disparities by. In its manifesto, Labour then pledged to set a target to close the maternal mortality gap. We are still waiting for that target. What needs to happen now?Labour MP Bell Ribeiro-Addy secured today’s parliamentary debate, which aimed to raise awareness about disparities in maternal outcomes for Black women and birthing people.The Labour MP highlighted that it’s been years now since these issues were first flagged – “and we’re still in this situation. Things absolutely have to change.” When asked what she hopes will come out of today’s discussion, Awe told me that, based on her conversations with Black women and birthing people, there is a need for commitment to the maternal mortality target.“We need to see it implemented and monitored with real accountability,” she said.Better data collection, is also crucial, she added, which “meaningfully captures ethnicity, outcomes, and patient experiences, so we can tackle disparities with evidence and urgency”.Ribeiro-Addy also flagged this issue in parliament, saying current data on racial disparities “is limited and scattered” and that the “lack of comprehensive research makes it difficult to see the full picture of what is happening”. And lastly, Awe wants Black women to be listened to and believed – not just in maternal health, but across all areas of health.Discussing the disparities, Angela McConville, chief executive of the National Childbirth Trust (NCT), urged MPs from all parties to use their voices to call for urgent change.NCT said it stands in solidarity with affected families and campaigners, and has provided a template letter to help the public encourage MPs to push for real change.“For Black mothers and birthing people in 2025 and beyond, their lives, their health, and their experiences must be valued as a priority, not an afterthought,” said Awe.“We’re hopeful that today’s debate will act as a reminder that the time for talking is over. We need action.”HuffPost UK has contacted the government for comment and will update the piece when we hear back. Help and support:Sands works to support anyone affected by the death of a baby.Tommy’s fund research into miscarriage, stillbirth and premature birth, and provide pregnancy health information to parents.Saying Goodbye offers support for anyone who has suffered the loss of a baby during pregnancy, at birth or in infancy.Related...Dr Zoe Williams: We Need New Ways To Ask Black Mums About Their Mental Health'Motherhood Does Not Erase Your Sexuality' – 3 Mums On Sex During And After Pregnancy'It's Impossible To Live A Good Life': The Bleak Reality Of Living Off Maternity Pay

Comments

Breaking news

Castle Douglas could be in line for new £900,000 all-weather sports facility

Daily Record

Joel Dommett's wife Hannah Cooper admits she was left shocked by husband's 'intimate jokes about her body' as she reveals what it is really like being married to a comedian

about 2 hours ago

Dailymail

Cristiano Ronaldo tops Forbes sport rich list ahead of Steph Curry after raking in £206MILLION, as big-money Brit breaks completes top three - but best-paid Premier League star is down in 34th!

about 2 hours ago

Dailymail

Doctors join chorus of opposition to assisted dying law with warning over 'concerning deficiencies' in legislation as it returns to Commons

about 2 hours ago

Dailymail

Frank Skinner, 68, reveals he's MARRIED partner Cath Mason after 24 years together

about 2 hours ago

Dailymail

Ministers face new demand to postpone inheritance tax raid on farmers as MPs warn rushed plan will hammer the 'vulnerable' and elderly

about 2 hours ago

Dailymail

Major £14bn plan to fix 'broken' rail system in English region: Two new stations, capacity upgrades and electrification to speed up journeys

about 2 hours ago

Alison Hammond reveals why she was forced to pull out of This Morning as her replacement is announced

Dailymail

Comments

Similar News

Eva Longoria, Halle Berry and Andie MacDowell change into dazzling evening gowns while Heidi Klum covers up her busty look with a black blazer for L'Oreal's Cannes Film Festival dinner

Halle Berry flouts the Cannes Film Festival's strict new dress code as she hits the red carpet in a voluminous black-and-pink gown at Mission: Impossible premiere

Residents told to close windows as huge fire sends black smoke across Spanish city

'Beyond the Gates' is renewed as veteran Black soap actors cheer its success

Cheap Is the New Black: Lower Cost Cars, SUVs, Trucks Grab Attention

‘I was deaf first then Black – now I tell my story on the stage’

An explosion at a chemical plant near Seville sends black smoke over the Spanish city

Bella Hadid exudes elegance in a black midi dress as she debuts a chic new look for second event of the night - after going braless at the 78th Cannes Film Festival

Black haired man named Johnny Cash wanted by police over £3000 theft

Outrage as white cop convicted of assaulting black woman during arrest is given sweetheart plea deal

Bella Hadid shows off her new blonde hairstyle as she goes braless despite opting for a conservative black gown at Cannes' opening ceremony after festival placed a ban on risqué looks

Katie Price discusses heartbreaking suicide attempt that left her with 'a black eye' as she 'self medicated on cocaine during lowest moment'

'Only thing that works' to remove black spots from your patio in 10 minutes

Keely Hodgkinson shows off her incredible physique in a black bikini as Olympic gold medallist unwinds during British heatwave

Officials: Elderly Man and His Dog Killed in Florida's First Deadly Black Bear Attack

Billie Piper ditches her pink gown for a black mini dress while Laura Whitmore slips into a red velvet look as stars let their hair down at the 2025 BAFTA TV Awards after party

BAFTA TV Awards 2025: Adolescence stars Erin Doherty, Ashley Walters and Owen Cooper pose up a storm in black leather as they reunite on the star-studded red carpet

Emily Atack ignores the heatwave as she gives a nod to her Rivals role with eighties shoulder pads and black PVC gloves for BAFTA TV Awards arrival with her co-star Alex Hassell

UK's Eurovision hopefuls Remember Monday ordered by the BBC to avoid making any political points after band's old social media posts backing Black Lives Matter come to light

Rivals star Danny Dyer insists 'elitist' critics would never mock his accent if he was black

Breaking news

Castle Douglas could be in line for new £900,000 all-weather sports facility

What's on in Dumfries and Galloway this weekend as warm weather continues

Concern growing about the lack of water in Dumfries and Galloway rivers

Scottish Water workers in Dumfries and Galloway set to stage week-long walk out

Kilmarnock FC pay tribute to dad of women's team player after body find in wooded area

Award-winning Dumfries and Galloway hotel announces plans for new restaurant

Thousands of cyclists from around the world head to Dumfries and Galloway for The Gralloch

Lack of suitable homes making 'significant' contribution to Dumfries and Galloway key worker shortage

Rutherglen and Cambuslang SCIAF staff doing charity run at Edinburgh Marathon

Body found in search for 72-year-old sailor who went missing off the Scottish coast

Two firefighters and one other person die after fire at former RAF base in Oxfordshire

Woman ragged by her hair as brawl erupts outside court with blows traded

Assisted dying LIVE: MPs to vote on changes to plan in milestone moment

Mum's holiday 'ruined' after arriving at airport to find seats didn't exist

'I'd give anything for one more day with him - I can't support assisted dying'

Landsec swings to profit as London rents rise and shops get bigger

Nepal hosts environment conference as Himalayan glaciers melt

AP PHOTOS: The desert blooms, roses perfume the air and a Moroccan town comes to life

UK plummets down rankings for LGBT+ rights in Europe following Supreme Court ruling

Workspace warns higher costs and lower rents to hit profits next year

Toy firm Character Group says US-China shipments on pause over tariffs

Diddy trial live: Cassie Ventura to return to stand after Justin Bieber breaks silence over ‘victim’ claims

King Charles’ wealth jumps £30m in 2025 – making him as rich as Sunak and wife

Donald Trump said he had a ‘little problem’ with Apple’s Tim Cook over India iPhone plans

Man Utd co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s wealth falls by over £6 billion

Marie Claire owner Future set for lower revenues amid ‘challenging’ backdrop

AP PHOTOS: Eurovision performers gear up for grand final with sparkles and songs

Dua Lipa named as youngest person on 2025 rich list

Joel Dommett's wife Hannah Cooper admits she was left shocked by husband's 'intimate jokes about her body' as she reveals what it is really like being married to a comedian

Cristiano Ronaldo tops Forbes sport rich list ahead of Steph Curry after raking in £206MILLION, as big-money Brit breaks completes top three - but best-paid Premier League star is down in 34th!

Doctors join chorus of opposition to assisted dying law with warning over 'concerning deficiencies' in legislation as it returns to Commons

Frank Skinner, 68, reveals he's MARRIED partner Cath Mason after 24 years together

Ministers face new demand to postpone inheritance tax raid on farmers as MPs warn rushed plan will hammer the 'vulnerable' and elderly

Major £14bn plan to fix 'broken' rail system in English region: Two new stations, capacity upgrades and electrification to speed up journeys

Alison Hammond reveals why she was forced to pull out of This Morning as her replacement is announced

Do not eat warning issued as major supermarket pulls 'healthy' snack from shelves over fears they contain plastic

Bicester fire: Major inferno tears through former RAF blaze sparking ‘explosions’

Map shows spread of tropical disease Melioidosis that has killed 31 people across Australia

Ex-FBI boss James Comey’s 8647 photo sparks wild conspiracy it’s a threat against Donald Trump

Mystery over man Bella May Culley met before being arrested in Georgia

Search to reunite family of Hamilton soldier with historic watch

Sleepwalking husband's wild explanation for brutal murder of his wife

House of horrors with kids locked up in nappies discovered by 'nosy' neighbour

Reform UK push Scottish Labour into third place in council by-election as SNP celebrate win

P Diddy's whisper to lawyer caught on court mic as rapper's trial continues

'I don't understand why people go there': Renowned chef on the restaurant chain he just doesn't understand

North Lanarkshire Council publishes plans to alter ground floor layout of Airdrie Town Hall

Dad 'caught with cocaine' jailed for 40 years in hellhole Dubai prison

Australian war veteran loses defamation appeal over 'inhumane' killings

Justin Bieber breaks silence on Diddy allegations amid sex trafficking trial

Prince Harry and Meghan's feud with Beckhams left David 'absolutely furious'

Mystery over man Bella May Culley met before being caught 'smuggling cannabis'

Boy, 18, tragically dies after curly hair hides symptom of deadly disease

Keir Starmer warns Putin must 'pay the price' after shameful peace talk snub

Cops screamed four words before shooting man suspected of stabbing man and woman

Inside world's most beautiful McDonald's that 'looks more like a museum'

Get glowy skin and reduce puffiness by adding these fruits to your diet