Black Maternal Health in the UK
The Data, The Disparities and The Unheard Truths
When it comes to health outcomes in the UK, some patterns are too persistent and too deadly to ignore. The recent report published by Five X More, alongside findings from Black health advocates and academic researchers, once again exposes the painful reality facing Black women during one of life’s most critical moments, childbirth.
The report offers a deep insight into the lived experiences of over 1,100 Black and mixed-race women in the UK, highlighting systemic failures in care, communication and inclusion.
Despite years of advocacy, inquiries and policy pledges, Black women remain up to four times more likely to die in childbirth compared to their white counterparts.
More than half of Black women surveyed said their concerns during labour were dismissed or ignored. Pain relief is denied without explanation. And even as maternal health care digitises with AI-driven monitoring systems, data tracking apps and algorithm-informed diagnostics Black women continue to be side-lined by systems that weren’t designed with them in mind.
The latest findings are a stark reminder, technology alone doesn’t erase bias. In fact, AI and digital health tools are increasingly showing us the bias embedded in algorithms trained on non-diverse data sets. Rather than level the playing field, these tools often replicate and even amplify the disparities Black women already face.
So what does this mean for health leaders, policy makers and our community? It means we must move beyond awareness into action. Here are five truths drawn from this latest research and the lived experience of Black women that can no longer be ignored:
1️. Black Women Are Still Dying at Alarming Rates
Despite decades of data, Black women in the UK remain up to four times more likely to die during childbirth. This is not a reflection of biology but of systemic failings unequal access to care, dismissive treatment and chronic under-investment in culturally competent healthcare systems. This fatal disparity is a direct indictment of how deeply racial bias is woven into maternity care.
2️. Being Heard Is Still a Battle
Nearly half of Black women surveyed said they raised concerns during labour, yet less than half felt their concerns were taken seriously. This phenomenon, described by scholars as "epistemic injustice," sees the lived experience and voice of Black women dismissed by clinical staff undermining their autonomy and, too often, risking their lives.
3️. Pain Relief Denied Without Cause
A staggering 23% of Black women did not receive pain relief when they requested it and of these, 40% received no explanation. This pattern is not random. It reflects harmful stereotypes about Black women and pain tolerance, a bias that dates back centuries but remains alive in modern medical practice.
4️. The Hidden Cost of Self-Advocacy
Black women often find themselves in the exhausting position of having to self-advocate for basic care a burden that adds emotional trauma to an already vulnerable moment. Scholars and health advocates warn that this “double labour” not only erodes trust in health systems but also exacerbates postnatal mental health risks.
5️. AI and Data Bias Are Failing Black Women
The rise of AI in health care promised neutrality. But emerging research shows that algorithm-driven tools designed using non-diverse datasets are reproducing the same disparities we see in face-to-face care. From diagnostic apps to automated triage systems, AI often underestimates risk for Black women or fails to recognise critical symptoms, embedding bias into future care pathways.
Where Do We Go From Here?
The Five X More report echoes a call repeated by Black healthcare advocates, MPs like Paulette Hamilton and academics alike. We must shift from reactive outrage to proactive reform.
This means investing in culturally competent care, mandatory bias training, transparent accountability measures and the active involvement of Black women in designing the future of healthcare services including how AI is used.
This isn’t just a healthcare issue. It’s a leadership issue. A community issue. A societal issue. When Black women are silenced in healthcare, the ripple effects damage families, communities and the entire fabric of equity in society.
Join the Conversation
If this resonates with you, we want to hear your voice. Like this post if you believe in amplifying the truth. Share your reflections in the comments especially if you’ve witnessed or experienced the impact of healthcare bias first-hand.
Pass this post on to a friend, colleague or community leader who needs to understand why this matters now more than ever. Let’s push this conversation beyond the headlines and into action.
Source: https://fivexmore.org/black-maternity-experiences-report-2025
