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Original poster

Kemi Badenoch addresses pre-eclampsia experts - black mothers x5 likely to die **title edited by MNHQ**

41 replies

OhHolyJesus · 14/11/2020 10:28

Full release here

www.gov.uk/government/news/minister-for-equalities-speaks-to-pre-eclampsia-experts-at-global-event

"But evidence shows that black British mothers are five times more likely to die in pregnancy or six weeks after childbirth, than white women. Women of mixed ethnicity have three times the risk, and Asian women almost twice the risk. Ethnic minority women are also at an increased risk of having a pre-term birth, stillbirth, neonatal death or a baby born with low birth weight."

I'm a bit of a fan of Kemi's since her speech on critical race theory in the HoP and this just makes me love her more. I don't care that she's a Tory, she knows what a woman is and is doing something.

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SunsetBeetch · 14/11/2020 13:47

@perfectstorm

Those statistics are horrendous. Every single one of those deaths is a tragedy for a family, and given the gulf in stats (against a backdrop where our maternal and neo-natal mortality rates aren't great for white women, either!) most must be avoidable.

Good for her for raising the issue, and seeking to do something about it. And I wonder if this could be an issue @MNHQ could do something with, in campaigning terms, too?

Oh that would be great. This has really shocked and upset me.
Original poster
OhHolyJesus · 14/11/2020 12:57

I just derailed my own thread!

I'm going to follow what Kemi does on this and maybe send her a letter. She is a bloody good MP too, I wish she was mine!

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Original poster
OhHolyJesus · 14/11/2020 12:56

I have to say that this is an important point for the Women and Equalities Committee inquiry into the GRA, for the point/question on what trans people should have access to.

Women, particularly black pregnant women, do they have access to medical care that suits their needs? Based on these stats I would suggest not.

The WEC deal with Equalities, meaning for all minority groups, I think I will note this in my response and I will now approach my submission in a different way. I'll apply the questions to other groups, is the process for disability benefit 'kind'? Do women who are victims of domestic violence have access to social services?

It's not just for the goose.

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LukewarmCustard · 14/11/2020 12:18

It’s great to see Kemi is onto this. The higher maternal death rate for Black women in the UK is a disgrace.

But she’s talking about dealing with pre-existing health conditions as though this will fix it. I would be a lot happier if she talked about poverty, which is a major factor, and much more prevalent amongst BAME mothers. Or about the hostile environment policies which leave some migrant women with no access to housing and benefits and being charged thousands of pounds for maternity care.

perfectstorm · 14/11/2020 12:15

Those statistics are horrendous. Every single one of those deaths is a tragedy for a family, and given the gulf in stats (against a backdrop where our maternal and neo-natal mortality rates aren't great for white women, either!) most must be avoidable.

Good for her for raising the issue, and seeking to do something about it. And I wonder if this could be an issue @MNHQ could do something with, in campaigning terms, too?

TyroTerf · 14/11/2020 12:11

I'd hazard a guess that there's a psychological aspect to it, 334bu.

Along the same lines as women having better outcomes when seen by female doctors.

The more like ourselves someone is, the better we're inclined and able to empathise, because in some subconscious sense the in-group is more 'real' than the outgroup. Which results in white doctors being a bit more on the ball with white patients.

This is just a hunch, of course, but could be checked by comparing with stats for countries that aren't in North-west Europe.

334bu · 14/11/2020 12:02

In the article Kemi speaks about underlying health problems impacting adversely the pregnancies of black and other ethnic groups women, so are these groups being denied access to care available to white women with similar problems or are there other reasons that they are unable to access this care?

MNHQ
CarolineMumsnet · 14/11/2020 11:53

Just to let you know that we've made that edit to the title for you now, OhHolyJesus Flowers

ErrolTheDragon · 14/11/2020 11:50

Bloody hell, those statistics...Sad
But good to see a serious matter being discussed (and hopefully addressed) seriously.

SunsetBeetch · 14/11/2020 11:31

She has of course been accused of transphobia for not being inclusive,but she doesn't pay that shot any mind. Huge respect for Kemi, may she go from strength to strength

Original poster
OhHolyJesus · 14/11/2020 11:15

Apologies for my spelling coco up on the title, I have asked MNHQ to amend.

Huge respect for Kemi, she's hugely intelligent and pragmatic.

This. She would make an amazing PM I think and I'm sad she doesn't want to go for the job.

Maybe she will change her mind...

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HecatesCats · 14/11/2020 11:12

Effect

HecatesCats · 14/11/2020 11:11

This is what representation looks like in practice. I really hope she can affect change.

Imnobody4 · 14/11/2020 11:08

Echo other posts. Huge respect for Kemi, she's hugely intelligent and pragmatic.

ThinEndOfTheWedge · 14/11/2020 10:55

Agreed - a really important issue and she is actually doing something to help instead of the usual pontificating bullshit.

334bu · 14/11/2020 10:44

Thanks for link. Very important issue.