Black women are three times more likely to die during childbirth than white women, according to recent findings. This disparity is part of a larger issue known as the ethnicity pain gap, which affects minority ethnic patients across various healthcare settings. Research shows that these patients often have to exhibit higher levels of pain before receiving effective treatment.
Childhood Pain Disparities for Minority Ethnic Patients
From a young age, children from minority ethnic backgrounds face challenges in pain recognition and treatment. A 2024 study by the University of Delaware revealed that racial bias significantly impacts how children's pain is perceived. Participants in the study viewed images of children from different ethnicities showing pain and were less likely to recognize pain expressions in Black boys compared to their white peers.
Furthermore, a 2020 study led by Monika Goyal at Children’s National Hospital found that minority children with long-bone fractures received less effective pain management. Specifically, while they were more likely to receive analgesics like paracetamol, they were less likely to be prescribed opioids. This trend continued with research showing that Black children were 80% less likely to receive opioids for severe pain related to appendicitis.
Ethnicity Pain Gap in Maternity Care
The ethnicity pain gap is particularly evident in maternity care. Research indicates that Black women in the UK are almost twice as likely to have their births investigated for safety failings compared to white women and face a nearly threefold increased risk of dying during childbirth. An interim report from the National Maternity and Neonatal Investigation highlighted stereotypes affecting care, with some Asian women described as “princesses” and Black women perceived as having “tough skin.”
