Expected Surge in Maternal Mortality and Severe Morbidity among African-Americans in the Era of COVID-19 Pandemic.

Korede K Yusuf,Hamisu M Salihu,Sahra Ibrahimi,Sitratullah O Maiyegun,Chioma Ikedionwu,Deepa Dongarwar

doi:10.21106/ijma.405

Abstract

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, African-American mothers were three times as likely to die from pregnancy-related causes compared to white mothers. The impact of the pandemic among African-Americans could further worsen the racial disparities in maternal mortality (MM) and severe maternal morbidity (SMM). This study aimed to create a theoretical framework delineating the contributors to an expected rise in maternal mortality (MM) and severe maternal morbidity (SMM) among African-Americans in the era of the COVID-19 pandemic due to preliminary studies suggesting heightened vulnerability of African-Americans to the virus as well as its adverse health effects. Rapid searches were conducted in PubMed and Google to identify published articles on the health determinants of MM and SMM that have been or likely to be disproportionately affected by the pandemic in African-Americans. We identified socioeconomic and health trends determinants that may contribute to future adverse maternal health outcomes. There is a need to intensify advocacy, implement culturally acceptable programs, and formulate policies to address social determinants of health.

Highlights

Millions of people have been infected with the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)
We present policy recommendations to address the anticipated widening of the existing maternal health disparity
Rapid searches were conducted in PubMed and Google to identify published articles on the select health determinants of MM and SMM that have been or likely to be disproportionately affected by the pandemic in African-Americans.The following keywords were used separately and in combination: “maternal mortality”, “severe maternal morbidity”, “race/ethnicity”, “black or African-American”, “determinants”, “disparity” and “COVID-19”

Summary

Introduction

Millions of people have been infected with the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). In the United States (US), African-American people are being hospitalized and dying in disproportionately greater numbers due to the COVID-19 pandemic. African-Americans comprise less than 13% of the population but account for 33.1% of hospitalized. COVID-19 patients.[1] This unequal burden of the disease could partially be explained by the higher prevalence of underlying chronic medical conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, and obesity among African-Americans. AfricanAmerican mothers were three times as likely to die from pregnancy-related causes compared to white mothers.[2] The current burden of both chronic diseases and COVID-19 pandemic among

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion