A Midwife’s Death Days after Childbirth Complications Reignites the Conversation Around Black Maternal Health

The recent death of Dr. Janell Green Smith, a Black certified nurse-midwife in South Carolina, days after giving birth, has reignited national attention on Black maternal health disparities. Despite her expertise and experience delivering hundreds of babies, Green Smith experienced severe preeclampsia and post-surgical complications, underscoring that professional knowledge does not shield against systemic risks.

 

Black women in the U.S. face maternal mortality rates more than twice the national average, driven by systemic racism, implicit bias, and care disparities. Public health leaders emphasize that most maternal deaths are preventable, highlighting urgent needs for equitable, culturally competent care. Read more from CNN here.