Life is complex, and the interplay of societal factors can, and often do dramatically impact health outcomes. The impact on generations cannot be understated, considering many of these factors aren’t things you can ‘choose’ your way out of. March of Dimes aims to provide the best possible start for ALL babies. Research we do helps to identify geographic, demographic, economic, and social factors that contribute to the risk of adverse outcomes in preconception, pregnancy, postpartum, and early childhood. When we can understand how these factors work together to create unseen barriers to health and well-being, we can begin to tip the scales for people who need better access and quality of care.
Systemic racism impacts access to care, quality of care, and outcomes for women of color. Increases in preterm birth, miscarriage, and complications from cardiovascular and cardiometabolic disease is less about race and genetics and more about how you’re treated, what resources you have, and differences in the quality of care you may receive because of systemic barriers created due to racism.
