Racial discrimination linked to higher risk of premature delivery

New study finds that women exposed to racism are at higher risk of premature babies.

The study, conducted by the University of Cambridge, exposed how racism and racial discrimination can have an harmful impact on human health.

Researchers analysed 24 studies ranging in size, from 39 to 9,470 participants. All the participants were from varied racial and ethnic backgrounds, including black or African American, hispanic, non-hispanic white, pacific, asian, aboriginal, Romani, indigenous German and Turkish.

The pooled analysis showed that the experience of racial discrimination was significantly associated with increased risk of premature birth. 

Women who experienced racial discrimination were 40 per cent more likely to give birth prematurely. 

Co-first author Jeenan Kaiser said: “Racial discrimination impacts the health of racialised communities not only in direct and intentional ways, but also in how it shapes an individual’s experience, opportunities, and quality of life. These are fundamentally driven by structural and social determinants of health.

“While our study focused on its impact on pregnancy outcomes, its is becoming increasingly evident that it negatively impacts a myriad of health outcomes. Efforts to counter racial discrimination and promote health must focus on systemic policy changes to create sustainable change.”

The researchers point out that racial discrimination impacts what health services and resources are available, such as referral to specialist care, access to health insurance and access to public health services.

Many of the studies were of limited quality and included few marginalised racial or ethnic groups other that African Americans; as such, their applicability to other ethnic groups and cultural settings may be limited.

However, the researchers argue that when pooled, the data clearly demonstrated the negative impact of racial discrimination on pregnancy outcomes. 

Samuel Kebed, co-author, said: “Historically there have been countless examples of where medicine and public health have been furthered by the subjugation and experimentation of black and indigenous people.

“But the influence of structural racism is still present within the healthcare system today. From segregated healthcare for uninsured and under-insured people of colour in the US, to the global disparity in COVID-19 vaccinations, structures continue to perpetuate inequities.

“Health professionals can play a vital role in dismantling these systems.”