In 2020, Public Health England produced a report into the inequalities faced by ethnic minority women in their experiences of pregnancy and childbirth.

Researchers used a range of secondary sources to compile the report, including existing peer-reviewed smaller scale academic research, government research and guidance. The report found that women from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds were up to five times more likely to die during pregnancy than white women. A range of potential issues were considered, such as language barriers, poorer health, concentration in lower social classes and less chance of accessing and engaging with pregnancy services.

The report went on to recommend a range of interventions including improved access to maternity services, improved personalised care by the NHS and encouraging healthier lifestyles.

Source: Public Health, Reducing the inequality of outcomes for women from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities and their babies, 2020.