Increased Risk of Postpartum Hemorrhage Among Women from Ethnic Minority and Socioeconomically Deprived Backgrounds

Recent research led by Keele University highlights that women belonging to ethnic minorities or living in socially deprived areas face a significantly higher risk of experiencing postpartum hemorrhage (PPH), a leading cause of maternal morbidity and mortality worldwide. The study analyzed data from 79 different studies across 15 high-income countries, encompassing over 169 million women globally, to explore disparities in PPH outcomes among diverse populations.

Postpartum hemorrhage remains a critical obstetric complication, and prior to this research, most studies focused on specific populations without providing a comprehensive comparison across different demographic groups. This investigation aimed to fill that gap by assessing the relationship between ethnicity, social deprivation, and PPH risk.

Findings revealed that women from ethnic minority groups are at an increased risk of PPH compared to women from white or European backgrounds. Additionally, those residing in areas with higher levels of social deprivation also show a heightened likelihood of experiencing postpartum bleeding. These disparities underscore the urgent need for targeted interventions and inclusive healthcare policies to ensure equitable maternal care.

The study was conducted by Dr. Amy Elsmore during her MD research at Keele University, with support from Professor William Parry-Smith and Professor Pensee Wu. Dr. Elsmore, now a senior obstetrics and gynecology resident at Shrewsbury and Telford NHS Trust, emphasized the importance of addressing these inequalities: "Postpartum hemorrhage is a major contributor to maternal health risks, yet our findings show women from minority and deprived backgrounds are disproportionately affected."

She further stated that improving maternity care requires not only clinical advancements but also inclusive research, better data collection, and maternity pathways that recognize the unique needs of all women. Professor Wu noted that even in high-income countries, disparities persist, and Keele University is actively involved in the NIHR maternity disparity consortium to combat these issues.

Professor Parry-Smith highlighted the broader implications, calling for urgent actions to challenge and reduce health inequalities in maternity care. Ultimately, these insights aim to inform future policies to ensure safer childbirth experiences for all women, regardless of their background.

This research emphasizes the critical importance of addressing social and ethnic disparities to improve maternal outcomes worldwide.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-07-women-ethnic-minority-socially-deprived.html