Hidden Barriers

Unchecked stereotypes can influence medical treatment, leading to dangerous consequences for Black patients. Crosscut dives into some of the stereotypes that lead, among other things, to poorer reproductive health outcomes among Black women. Black and Indigenous women statistically face poorer outcomes with reproductive health care and die in childbirth at higher rates than other groups. Advocates say that, especially in the wake of the Black Lives Matter movement, more attention needs to be paid to the treatment of patients of color. Crosscut investigates how professionals, advocates and providers are trying to reduce deadly consequences.