HealthTALK

Spotlight on Care

Black Nurses and Maternal Mental Health

Maternal mental health affects families at every level, yet the disparities facing Black women in the United Kingdom remain profound and often overlooked.

One in ten women experience a mental health condition during pregnancy or in the year after birth, but Black women are more likely to face poorer outcomes, less likely to be heard and too often left undiagnosed or unsupported.

This feature honours the Black nurses, midwives and mental health professionals who continue to hold the line. They provide culturally sensitive, trauma-informed care while advocating fiercely for mothers who deserve to be safe, believed and properly supported.

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.

The Crisis in Black Maternity

Addressing Disparities and Paving the Way for Change in Healthcare

The numbers are stark and undeniable. In the UK, Black women continue to face a maternal mortality crisis that exposes the deep-rooted inequities in the healthcare system. But what do these statistics really tell us about the state of healthcare for Black women and how can we leverage the rise of AI and digital healthcare solutions to shift the narrative?

Key Statistics That Demand Our Attention