A startling revelation has emerged from a recent NHS study, shedding light on a deeply concerning issue within the healthcare system. The research indicates that babies born to black mothers in England and Wales are 81% more likely to succumb to neonatal care, a stark disparity that demands immediate attention. This finding is part of a broader analysis that examined the fate of over 700,000 babies admitted to NHS neonatal units across England and Wales between 2012 and 2022.
The study, led by academics at the University of Liverpool, unveiled a troubling trend. Black mothers' babies exhibited the highest mortality rates for most of the study period, with an 81% higher risk of perinatal death compared to those born to white mothers. In 2022, the mortality rate for black babies stood at a concerning 29.7 deaths per 1,000, while the rate for white babies was notably lower at 16.9 deaths per 1,000. This disparity is even more pronounced when considering the socioeconomic landscape. Babies born to mothers residing in the most deprived areas faced a 63% elevated risk of mortality, with a mortality rate of 25.9 deaths per 1,000 in 2022, compared to 12.8 deaths per 1,000 for their less deprived counterparts.
Samira Saberian, a PhD student at the University of Liverpool and the study's lead author, emphasized the significance of socioeconomic and ethnic disparities in neonatal survival. She stated that these inequalities are not solely explained by maternal and birth factors, which account for only over half of the observed disparities. To address these inequalities, Saberian advocates for integrated approaches that strengthen clinical care while simultaneously tackling the broader conditions affecting families. By enhancing services and addressing the root causes of inequality, we can significantly improve the survival chances of the most vulnerable babies.
The study, funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research, is groundbreaking as it is the first to explore both socioeconomic and ethnic inequalities in neonatal units. It reveals a stark reality: babies born to mothers from ethnic minority groups in more deprived areas face a heightened risk of mortality. This finding aligns with previous reports indicating that black babies are nearly twice as likely to be stillborn as white babies. A national investigation into NHS maternity services across England is currently underway, focusing on racial disparities and other critical issues.
Furthermore, the study extends its findings to include babies born to Asian mothers, who faced a 36% higher risk of death compared to white babies, even after accounting for other contributing factors. The research concludes that there are significant socioeconomic and ethnic disparities in the neonatal units of England and Wales. Rachel Drain, the quality and standards adviser at the Royal College of Midwives, expressed deep concern over the findings, emphasizing the need for urgent, coordinated action to address the root causes of these disparities.
Drain highlighted the importance of investing in the maternity and neonatal workforce, providing equitable and culturally safe care, and designing services with women at the center. She stressed that every baby deserves an equal chance at survival, regardless of ethnicity, background, or circumstances. The findings, according to Drain, point to systemic issues in healthcare delivery and the broader social conditions that influence women's health before, during, and after pregnancy. She deemed the rising mortality rates and widening inequalities in neonatal units unacceptable.
David Taylor-Robinson, a professor of public health and policy at the University of Liverpool, echoed these sentiments. He emphasized the Labour government's commitment to creating the healthiest generation of children in the nation's history. However, he also underscored the stark reality that many children, even in 2025, face significant challenges from birth, and for some, even before conception. Taylor-Robinson expressed hope that this evidence will catalyze real action to address the broader factors shaping health outcomes, highlighting the pervasive influence of societal biases and injustices on clinical settings, disproportionately affecting women and babies.
