After working as a hospitalist and solo practitioner, board-certified obstetrician and gynecologist Shawanda Renee Obey, MD, joined Northeast Valley Health Corporation as a supervising physician. Twice named a top OB/GYN by the Consumers' Research Council of America, Shawanda Renee Obey, MD, is committed to improving patient outcomes for women, especially Black women who experience higher rates of maternal mortality and post-delivery complications.
According to statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Black women are three times more likely to die from a pregnancy-related complication than white women. While the cause of this discrepancy is complex, there are three factors that most experts acknowledge:
Bias in the medical field: While explicit training can reduce unconscious bias held by medical professionals, negative stereotypes about Black women can influence how they are treated in medical settings. Doctors may dismiss a Black patient's complaints or be more likely to make medical decisions on their behalf compared to other patients.
Higher disease burden: Black women have higher rates of chronic illnesses such as hypertension and obesity that can cause pregnancy complications. Black women are also more likely to develop fibroids, which can increase in size during pregnancy.
Lack of prenatal care: In the United State, Black women are more likely to be underinsured and lack access to contraceptive and prenatal care. Adequate prenatal care can greatly reduce the chance of pregnancy-related death.
