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‘Concordant care’ called crucial in improving Black childbirth outcomes

By Bhaamati Borkhetaria

Common Wealth Beacon


TO BE A BLACK WOMAN giving birth is to face a much higher risk of complications and death during childbirth. One thing that could help, according to panelists at a maternal health event, is “racially concordant care” – care provided by a physician who shares the racial identity of the patient. 


“We want to see more Black and Brown doctors because what we know is that when our healthcare is more concordant, it does improve clinical outcomes,” said Dr. Lucy Lomas, an OB-GYN who serves as the director of community, health, and wellness for New England Medical Association, a Black physicians group. 


Lomas was one of several panelists who spoke at a maternal health event sponsored by GBH News and CommonWealth Beacon on Monday evening. The discussion, moderated by Saraya Wintersmith of GBH, was wide-ranging, but a recurring theme was that people of color, and Black women in particular, benefit from having their care provided by someone who looks like them and who understands their experience in the world. The belief, and there is evidence to back it up, is that “concordant care” can lead to better communication between patient and physician, which in turn can lead to better health outcomes. 


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