Does the Black-White Racial Gap in Severe Maternal Morbidity Vary by Education?

• In Event: 20855 - Morbidity and Mortality

Abstract

Rates of severe maternal morbidity (SMM), in the U.S., are increasing with persistent disparities in this critical population health indicator. Higher education generally predicts better maternal well-being, but it is unclear if obtaining a post-bachelor’s education engenders similar protection against SMM for Black and White mothers. Using an intracategorical and intercategorical approach, we analyze data from the 2016 U.S. Vital Statistics System to examine the impact of education on SMM, among and between Black and White mothers. Small educational gains (i.e., advancing from a high school degree to some college) appear to matter for White mothers. Whereas credentials (i.e. advancing from a high school degree to a bachelor’s degree) are most substantial for Black mothers—up until a certain point. Indeed, for Black mothers having a master’s degree or more constituted worse maternal health. Since Black women are disproportionately impacted by systemic factors which can mute the privileges associated with high socioeconomic status, our findings show that Black mothers with advanced educational credentials (i.e. masters or doctorate) receive negative health returns. Our study illuminates maternal health disparities in the U.S. population, offers evidence for within-racial group variation in education-health patterns, and advocates for birth justice.

Authors

• Courtney E. Williams, University of Texas-Austin

• Heather Molly Rackin, Louisiana State University