The Crisis of Preterm Birth in Black Women – And Why It’s Getting Worse
Black women face a 50% increased risk of delivering early. That’s not just a statistic—it’s a reality that results in more NICU stays, breathing complications, and long-term health issues for Black infants.
And now, there’s an even more alarming trend: Neonatal death rates are rising in some states with abortion bans.
The Reality of Preterm Birth for Black Women
Preterm birth, defined as delivery before 37 weeks, increases the risk of:
NICU admissions, requiring specialized medical care for fragile newborns.
Breathing issues, such as respiratory distress syndrome.
Long-term health challenges, including developmental delays and chronic conditions.
Black women already experience a 50% higher risk of delivering early compared to white women. This disparity is driven by systemic factors:
Limited access to quality prenatal care.
Higher exposure to chronic stress, including racism and medical bias.
Increased rates of pregnancy complications like preeclampsia.
Why Neonatal Death Rates Are Rising
The situation is getting worse in states where abortion restrictions have led to fewer hospitals offering comprehensive maternity care and delays in necessary medical interventions. In some states with strict abortion laws, hospitals are closing labor and delivery units, leaving entire regions without adequate care for high-risk pregnancies.
Recent studies provide troubling data:
A 5.6% increase in infant mortality rates was observed in states enforcing abortion bans from 2012 to 2023.1
This equated to approximately 478 additional infant deaths during that period.
Infant mortality rose from 5.93 per 1,000 live births to 6.26 per 1,000 live births in these states.2
The most affected populations were Black infants, infants with congenital anomalies, and those born to socioeconomically disadvantaged families.3
When pregnant people are forced to carry nonviable or high-risk pregnancies without access to the full spectrum of care, the burden on already fragile hospital systems grows, leading to an increase in infant mortality.
What Can Be Done?
✔️ Ensure early and consistent prenatal care.
✔️ Advocate for thorough monitoring, especially if you have a history of preterm birth or pregnancy complications.
✔️ Address the systemic disparities that contribute to maternal health inequities.
✔️ Fight for policies that protect pregnant people’s access to care.
Your Voice Matters
💬 Did you deliver early? What support helped you through it? How do you think we can improve care for Black mothers and babies? Share your thoughts in the comments.
The fight for maternal health equity is urgent. The lives of Black mothers and babies depend on it.
Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. (2025). Two new studies provide broadest evidence to date of unequal impacts of abortion bans. Retrieved from publichealth.jhu.edu
Reuters. (2025, February 13). Infant mortality rises in states with abortion bans, study finds. Retrieved from reuters.com
Time Magazine. (2025). Infant Mortality and Births Increased in Most States with Abortion Bans, Studies Find. Retrieved from time.com
People Magazine. (2025). Abortion Bans Led to Nearly 6% More Cases of Infant Death in States Where Abortions Are Restricted, Study Finds. Retrieved from people.com