Solving the U.S. Black maternal health crisis could save lives and dollars

They are well-known facts: The U.S. has some of the worst maternal and infant mortality rates in the industrialized world, and Black women are two to four times more likely to die in childbirth than white women.

Yet a new report finds that a few key changes to improve Black maternal and newborn health would not only save the lives of more than 3,100 Black mothers and 35,000 Black infants, but also inject an astounding $25 billion into the economy and save $385 million in healthcare costs.

If the changes were implemented today, according to the report from the McKinsey Institute for Economic Mobility, the financial dividends could be seen as early as 2040.

“I’ve always said health is wealth. This report brings dollar signs to the crisis,” says Dr. Faith Ohuoba, OB-GYN Department Chair an