Black maternal mortality in the media: How journalists cover a deadly racial disparity

Abstract

Through semi-structured interviews with four women news journalists, this study explores how journalists who specialize in women’s issues and health cover Black maternal mortality. Discussions include the role of advocacy in journalism and the struggle of covering the complex, long-standing systemic issue of maternal mortality associated with race in American society. Six themes consider the inclusion of race in healthcare coverage, a need for in-depth, nuanced coverage, the role of advocacy in journalism, complications of reporting on race, the importance of citing sources of color, and celebrity influence. Findings show the need for media advocacy in public health crises, and how journalistic norms can pressure journalists into citing inappropriate sources or diluting the story.

“There is nothing to protect us from dying”: Black women's perceived sense of safety accessing pregnancy and intrapartum care

“…Black women in our study were subjected to unnecessary medical gaze and unwarranted interventions despite not showing any significant health issues. Dominant narratives about Black pregnant bodies being deemed high risk have been perpetuated by the media, public health experts, and government agencies (McLemore, 2018; Walker & Boling, 2023). These types of narratives carry authority and shape how nurses and healthcare providers perceive and treat Black women.…”

Severe Maternal Morbidity in Georgia, 2009–2020

“…Public health surveillance and research on fetal and infant health outcomes in the United States is longstanding and relatively robust, as evidenced by population-based data systems that utilize vital records and health care data, substantial clinical and population research, and funding. However, recent years have seen a relatively dramatic increase in media reporting of the status of maternal, and not only fetal and infant, health in the United States 1. There have been corresponding calls for increased public health surveillance, research, and action to improve maternal health outcomes and eliminate racial and geographic disparities 2…”

“…However, recent years have seen a relatively dramatic increase in media reporting of the status of maternal, and not only fetal and infant, health in the United States. 1 There have been corresponding calls for increased public health surveillance, research, and action to improve maternal health outcomes and eliminate racial and geographic disparities. 2…”

“…However, recent years have seen a relatively dramatic increase in media reporting of the status of maternal, and not only fetal and infant, health in the United States. 1 There have been corresponding calls for increased public health surveillance, research, and action to improve maternal health outcomes and eliminate racial and geographic disparities. 2 Growing evidence suggests that the maternal peripartum course should be viewed along a continuum from healthy/uncomplicated to morbid, severely morbid ("near miss"), and fatal.…”