Explaining Racial Disparities in Adverse Birth Outcomes...

Question 1

Maternal stress

Answer 1

An important risk factor for adverse birth outcomes.

Question 2

Allostatic load

Answer 2

The accumulation of stress over a lifetime. It results in poorer physiological adaptation, culminating in health problems

Question 3

Gendered racism

Answer 3

The unique form of discrimination that is experienced because of Black women’s intersecting gender and race identities

Question 4

Stereotype Threat

Answer 4

The worry that one will confirm a negative societal stereotype about one’s group or be treated according to that stereotype

Question 5

Summary

Answer 5

The infant mortality rate for Black Americans i the US is more than twice the rate for White Americans, with similar racial disparities existig in rates of low birthweight and preterm delivery. It’s shown that maternal stress is an important risk factor for adverse birth outcomes, and it’s suggested that because Black American women have such intersecting identities, they may have received more and unique sources of stress based on these identities.
Such high rates of adverse birth outcomes in Black Americans have caused negative social, financial, medical and emotional consequences on them and their families/communities

Question 6

Three unique sources of stress for Black American women (of which elevate their risk for adverse birth outcomes)

Answer 6

1) Abuses of Black American women by the medical system and issues of power in obstetrics that disadvantage Black American women
2) Contradictory societal pressures exerted on Black American women about whether they should have children
3) Historical and contemporary stereotypes about Black American women related to sexuality and motherhood