The College recommends clear and ambitious targets are urgently developed to address inequalities, with dedicated funding to make these a reality.
Across many aspects of women’s health in the UK, Black, Asian and minority ethnic women are found to have worse outcomes and experiences than white women. Women from Black ethnic backgrounds are three times more likely to die during pregnancy or shortly afterwards compared to white women. Babies from Black and Asian ethnic groups are more likely to be born prematurely, and stillbirths among babies from Black and Asian ethnic groups are consistently higher than their white counterparts. These avoidable and unfair differences in health can have significant repercussions for women’s lives and their health, and can shape their future interactions with health services.
Ending racial and ethnic health inequalities and improving outcomes across women’s health is possible, but requires coordinated action from the government and NHS, support for women’s health services and workforce, and collaboration across government departments to address the root causes of health inequalities.
The College is recommending that clear and ambitious targets are urgently developed to address health inequalities, with dedicated funding to make these a reality. Barriers that prevent some women from accessing services must be tackled, for example, through the provision of high-quality interpretation services in every maternity service. Women from all ethnic groups must be involved in the development of services and in research to ensure women’s healthcare is anti-racist and fit for all.
An inclusive, well-supported and anti-racist O&G workforce is also crucial to delivering equitable health outcomes, and ensuring the women and people they care for feel safe and listened to. Addressing the significant pressures on the workforce, through tackling high levels of burnout, retaining existing staff and boosting workforce numbers, is therefore also fundamental.
Dr Ranee Thakar, President of the RCOG said,
“It is absolutely unacceptable that Black, Asian and minority ethnic women in the UK have worse outcomes and experiences than white women, from poorer fertility, pregnancy and neonatal outcomes to later gynaecological cancer diagnoses.
“Ending racial and ethnic health inequalities and improving outcomes across women’s health is possible, but this requires coordinated action by the government and NHS, support for women’s health services and workforce, and a collaborative approach to address the root causes of health inequalities.
“Action is urgently needed and the College will continue to campaign, in partnership with other organisations, to ensure that eliminating racial and ethnic health inequalities is a clear and fully funded Government priority.”