- Kierah Hollins
- Spring 2026
Faculty instructor: Kelsey Pascoe, PhD, RN
Abstract
Abstract Black maternal mortality in the United States continues to be a public health crisis involving persistent racial disparities. Black women are approximately three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes compared to White women, and many of these deaths are deemed preventable. This project is conducted to review contributing factors and propose evidence-based interventions to reduce maternal mortality among Black women. The literature was reviewed using peer-reviewed journal articles and government reports from 2021 to 2025 to identify key determinants of health and effective strategies. The findings indicate that structural racism, inequitable access to care, implicit bias, and a higher prevalence of conditions contribute greatly to disparities. Evidence supports implementing standardized maternal safety protocols, implicit bias training, early warning systems, and culturally congruent care models, including community-based doulas, as some of the effective interventions. These interventions aim to improve early recognition of complications, enhance patient-provider communication, and increase trust in healthcare systems. Addressing Black maternal mortality requires a multi-layer approach to reach a system-level response that prioritizes equity and evidence-based practice. Implications for nursing practice involve strengthening advocacy, improving clinical monitoring, and promoting culturally competent care to reduce preventable maternal deaths and improve outcomes. Keywords: black maternal mortality, racial disparities, maternal health, implicit bias, evidence-based interventions