A new study from New Jersey has uncovered a troubling reality for Black women during childbirth: they are significantly more likely to undergo unnecessary cesarean sections (C-sections) than their White counterparts. The study, one of the largest of its kind, analyzed nearly one million births across 68 hospitals in New Jersey between 2008 and 2017. The findings confirm what many health advocates have suspected — race is a determining factor in delivery methods, regardless of medical history and socioeconomic status.  Led by Adriana Corridor Waldron, a research professor at NC State University, the report sheds light on racial biases within the medical community. “Black women … are being treated differently based on factors like race,” Waldron stated. The study found that Black mothers were about 25% more likely to undergo a C-section than White mothers, even if both had similar medical histories and were treated by the same doctor at the same hospital. According to Waldron: “This is not explained by medical risk factors, it’s not explained by socioeconomic or things related with the socioeconomic status, but based on their race.”  The implications of unnecessary C-sections are serious. While a C-section can be a life-saving procedure in the right circumstances, it also carries a higher risk of complications, including infection, hemorrhage, and longer recovery times.  For Black women, who already face disproportionately high maternal mortality rates, the unnecessary surgeries add another layer of risk. The report not only highlights the role of racial bias but also suggests financial incentives may be driving these decisions. Since C-sections are more expensive procedures, doctors and hospitals are more likely to receive higher payouts.  “It’s important that we are aware of these biases and start working, potentially, to start addressing this provider bias,” Waldron said. In response to the study, New Jersey’s First Lady Tammy Murphy issued a statement acknowledging the disturbing findings. “The findings in this study are wholly unacceptable and deeply disturbing, underscoring how vital the work of Nurture NJ has been over the past nearly seven years. We have long known that Black mothers are more likely to undergo unscheduled C-sections compared to White mothers, but this study confirms the historical, large-scale statistical racial disparities in delivery methods, without a correlation to medical risk,” Murphy stated.  She added: “This research is critical to supporting the ongoing development of new initiatives that will continue to make a difference for families in New Jersey. We are thankful to the researchers for shining a light on the disparities we are working to eliminate. Racial biases and financial incentives should never drive medical decision-making.”  While the study did not provide direct recommendations, medical professionals stress that Black women should have open and informed discussions with their obstetricians about delivery options before giving birth.  The post Black Women Face Higher Rates Of Unnecessary C-Sections, New Jersey Study Reveals appeared first on Atlanta Daily World.