Moving Beyond the Data

When I first began researching the issue of black maternal mortality, I was shocked to learn the high death rates among Black women who are dying from pregnancy-related complications across the U.S. For example, in California, Black women are dying four times the rate of White women from pregnancy-related causes, and nearly three times the rate of other ethnic groups. Disturbingly, the experts say they don’t really know why this is occurring. In fact, from the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention to the Maternal Quality Care Collaborative responsible for compiling the data in California, medical experts can’t really explain this high disparity. 

As a journalist and 2013 California Endowment Health Journalism Fellow, I am determined to go beyond the numbers. And just two days into the fellowship, I have been inspired by the lecturers who have come to share their wisdom on how to move beyond the data to get the answers I’m seeking.

Reporting for Women’s eNews, I look forward to delving more closely into this heath care issue and looking at how the Affordable Care Act will address healthcare disparities that experts agree are mostly preventable medical events.  

Image by Shardayyy via Flickr