NCNW ADVOCACY & POLICY BRIEF

NCNW Advocacy & Policy Brief

Telehealth and the Black Maternal Health Crisis: A Digital Lifeline in a System That Continues to Fail Black Women

By Ja’Lia Taylor, Ph.D., Director of Policy Telecommunications and Technology

Issue Overview: Black women in the United States are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than White women. In 2023, the maternal mortality rate for Black women reached 50.3 deaths per 100,000 live births (CDC, 2023). Over 80 percent of these deaths were preventable (CDC, 2022). The crisis is deeply rooted in systemic racism, inadequate access to quality care, and disparities in healthcare delivery. Telehealth presents an immediate, scalable solution that can help reduce these disparities if implemented equitably.

What is Telehealth? Telehealth refers to the use of digital technology such as video calls, mobile apps, and remote monitoring to deliver healthcare services outside traditional clinical settings (HRSA, 2021). It enables patients to receive prenatal and postpartum care, mental health support, and chronic disease management remotely.

Key Challenges in Black Maternal Health:

• Black women are more likely to have their pain and symptoms ignored or dismissed (Altman et al., 2019).
• Disparities persist regardless of income or education (Commonwealth Fund, 2023).
• Black infants are twice as likely to die before their first birthday compared to White infants (CDC, 2023).

How Telehealth Can Help:

1. Improved Access to Care: Reduces travel and childcare barriers, especially in rural or medically underserved areas (Bryant et al., 2020).
2. Postpartum Support: Increases attendance at postpartum checkups through virtual visits (Penn Medicine, 2021).
3. Mental Health Services: Expands access to culturally competent therapists for postpartum depression and anxiety (Gjerdingen et al., 2021).
4. Culturally Aligned Care: Enables patients to connect with providers trained in anti-racism and cultural humility (Williams et al., 2020).
5. Specialist Access: Connects patients with OB-GYNs, midwives, and doulas regardless of location (ACOG, 2021).

Legislative Solutions:

• The Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act (2023): Funds telehealth programs, improves data collection, and expands digital infrastructure in underserved areas (Black Maternal Health Caucus, 2023).
• Medicaid Expansion: Essential to extend telehealth access to low-income women. Currently, many live in states that have not expanded Medicaid (KFF, 2023).

Barriers to Telehealth Implementation:

• Digital Divide: Limited access to broadband and digital devices in low-income and Black communities (Pew Research Center, 2021).
• Privacy Concerns: Need for secure platforms to protect patient information in post-Roe America (AMA, 2022).
• Payment Parity: Lack of equal reimbursement for telehealth limits provider participation (Center for Connected Health Policy, 2023).

Policy Recommendations:

• Fully fund and implement the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act.
• Expand Medicaid to include comprehensive telehealth coverage in all states.
• Invest in digital infrastructure and broadband access.
• Ensure payment parity for telehealth services.
• Promote cultural competency training for all maternal health providers.

Conclusion: Telehealth alone cannot fix systemic racism in healthcare. However, it is a vital tool that can improve access, increase continuity of care, and support better outcomes for Black mothers. The time to act is now.