High maternity costs hit Black and Hispanic patients hardest: study
Black and Hispanic people paid more in out-of-pocket costs for maternal care than Asian and white people with the same commercial insurance, a new study published in JAMA Health Forum found.
Why it matters: Black mothers in the U.S. face a pregnancy-related death rate that is more than three times the rate for white mothers. About 80% of these deaths are preventable. The maternal mortality rate for Hispanic women is similar to that of white mothers but has surged in recent years.
The cost burdens of maternity care may exacerbate those significant racial disparities, the researchers say.
What they did: The study looked at pregnancy, delivery and postpartum care claims data from patients insured by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts from 2018 through 2022.
Among nearly 77,000 unique enrollees who gave birth, almost 79% were white, roughly 10% were Asian, about 8% were Hispanic and about 4% were Black.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts undertook the research along with academics at the University of Maryland and Harvard to establish a baseline as they try to design solutions for more equitable care, co-author Mark Friedberg, senior vice president of performance measurement and improvement at Blue Cross, said in a news release.
What they found: Black enrollees spent an average of $2,398 in total out-of-pocket spending for maternity care, between their deductible, copayments and coinsurance — or the amount an enrollee pays after they've hit their deductible.
Hispanic enrollees paid $2,300, while Asian enrollees paid $2,202 and white enrollees $2,036, on average.
Zoom in: Cost differences were especially pronounced for prenatal care, with Black enrollees paying 74% more than white people, the researchers found. Prenatal care is important to help avoid complications during birth.
Levels of copayments were similar across all groups, and deductibles were slightly lower among Hispanic and white enrollees.
But coinsurance payments differed significantly.
Black enrollees paid an average of $772 for coinsurance and Hispanic enrollees paid an average of $779. Asian enrollees paid an average $669. White people paid an average of $511.
The bottom line: Reducing coinsurance rates could make maternity care more accessible and, in turn, reduce maternal health disparities in the U.S., the researchers write.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
32 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Stinging, invasive Asian needle ants found in Ohio. Here's where, why they're a problem
A species of invasive stinging ants is on the rise as they hit peak season in the summer. Asian needle ants deliver a painful and venomous sting capable of causing allergic or even life-threatening reactions. Native to Asia, the insects are known as Brachyponera chinensis (roughly translated as "short, wicked ant from China") and have since spread to the U.S. with documented sightings in 20 states, including Ohio. While tiny, the ants can also infest homes and disrupt natural environments by excluding native ant species and termites. Asian needle ants reach their yearly peak activity in June and July. Here's what to know before they arrive. Asian needle ants are a species of carnivorous ants native to China, Japan and the Koreas, according to USA TODAY. These dark brown ants have been found to live in colonies in leaf litter and rotted logs but can also be found inside potted plants, underneath wood piles, and in lawns. The "needle" part of its name refers to its stinger. While they are difficult to track, Asian needle ants have been found in Ohio with at least four reported sightings, per More than a dozen other states have reported Asian needle ant sightings. Ohio State University's Buckeye Yard and Garden confirmed the non-native stinging ant species in Southwest Ohio. The ants can nest inside landscape mulch, compost bins, homes, kitchens and dumpsters. No. Unlike fire ants, Asian needle ants are smaller, less aggressive and will try to avoid humans, however, most stings occur when someone accidentally places their hands in nests or on the ants, according to NC State University Entomology. The pressure causes them to deliver a defensive sting that can last for hours or even days. Experts recommend wearing thick gloves when handling outdoor items like mulch to help prevent stings. Eliminating nesting sites is also advised, including reducing moisture-heavy areas in and around your home and sealing entry points, according to Orkin. Should you encounter a colony of Asian needle ants, protein-based insecticide baits can also be used, though the method isn't foolproof. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Asian needle ant stings can include the following symptoms: Skin reactions include hives, itching, and flushed or pale skin. Low blood pressure (hypotension). Constriction of the airway, wheezing, and difficulty breathing. Swollen tongue or throat. Weak and rapid pulse. Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. Dizziness or fainting. Psychological symptoms, such as a feeling of impending doom. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Stinging Asian needle ants spotted in Ohio. Here's why it's a problem
Yahoo
32 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Synthetic hair contains toxic chemicals. Black women are looking to ‘ditch the itch.'
From bohemian braids to feed-ins, Black people have always used braided hairstyles for protection, ease and versatility. These braided looks often include trendy and affordable synthetic hair. But though synthetic hair grants longer wear of the style and a maintained look, recent reports show it contains toxic chemicals linked to alarming health risks, including cancer. Consumer Reports released a study in February examining 10 of the most popular synthetic hair brands known to have plastic fibers that create the Kanekalon synthetic braiding hair. The study detected high levels of lead, acetone and hazardous pesticides in most of the brands; all of the brands contained carcinogens, chemicals known to cause cancer. Among Black women aged 18 to 34 nationwide, synthetic braids are one of the most popular hairstyles, according to Mintel, a market intelligence agency. Ciara Imani May, like many people who regularly use the products, had long suspected something was off with synthetic hair. While she was teaching entrepreneurship at Johnson C. Smith University, a historically Black university in Charlotte, North Carolina, she became curious about the makeup of the hair. In 2019 she created a plant-based alternative braiding hair, after continually experiencing an itchy and irritated scalp when wearing braided styles. 'We are striving to have the most accessible plant-based alternative on the market, so that as people decide to ditch the itch, they have our product that they can make the switch to,' May said. Just like May, several other Black entrepreneurs have started to launch alternative and plant-based braiding hair companies, including Nourie, Ruka and LAB Hair Without Harm. While some plant-based braids are formed with corn-derived fibers, Rebundle is made of banana fibers. Rebundle hair is also skin-safe and biodegradable. May created the brand with the health of Black women, the primary users of synthetic hair, in mind. Before starting the company, she studied the correlation between scalp irritation and the use of synthetic braiding hair. Through her analysis in 2019, May found that many toxic chemicals and carcinogens are found in braiding hair and that the hair is causing some form of harm to people who wear it, and to the environment. 'I wasn't surprised, just disappointed that it had taken this long for some research to come out, especially this type of research that garnered this much attention,' May said after seeing the Consumer Reports study. Consumer Reports tested some of the brands that make up the $2.7 billion braiding hair market as of 2023, like Magic Fingers, Sassy Collection, Sensationnel and Shake-N-Go, revealing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in all synthetic hair tested. These types of braiding hair often cost $4 to $8 a pack and can be easily found at every beauty supply store. VOCs are often human-made chemicals used to make paints, pharmaceuticals and refrigerants that are emitted as gases. According to the American Lung Association, breathing some VOCs can irritate the eyes, nose and throat, causing nausea. Long-term exposure can also cause central nervous system damage and has been linked to cancer. VOCs can be highly toxic for braiders and Black women getting their hair braided, especially when the braiding process is complete. Braiders will then use a lighter or flat iron to remove stray hairs and finish the style by dipping the braids in boiling water. Consumer Reports found that heat treatments like this release VOCs. Some braiders have also said they experience contact dermatitis on their hands when working with synthetic braiding hair. Because of the potential risk synthetic braiding hair poses to braiders and Black women, Rebundle launched a braiders network, where braiders are trained to use plant-based hair. The network provides samples of Rebundle, hosts marketing events and compiles a searchable database of trained Rebundle braiders. Desiree Mills, a braider based in the Bronx, often uses Rebundle hair for her clients who have voiced that synthetic braiding hair makes their scalp feel itchy, irritated, tender or has even caused an allergic reaction. 'As Black women, we are taking the initiative to get more information about what we are applying to our crowns. I say crowns because our hair is like a flower; it needs water and hydration to grow and feel comfortable,' said Mills, who runs the salon AmourNtingz. The data from Consumer Reports, she said, 'could encourage us to care more about our hair.' Before Mills found Rebundle, she would soak and rinse synthetic hair in apple cider vinegar before braiding it into a client's head as a way to detoxify and remove the chemical coatings and residues. As a licensed braider for more than four years, Mills feels like the biggest difference between synthetic braiding hair and Rebundle is texture and appearance. To her, synthetic hair looks dead and feels rough, irritating, plasticky and waxy. She describes Rebundle as smooth on her hands with a natural shine of thick strands that smell fresh. The price is more expensive: Rebundle is $36 a pack compared to the typical $4 to $8 for synthetic hair. However, Mills said that the plant-based braiding hair can be stretched and separated with a technique that may require fewer packs of hair than a look that uses synthetic braiding hair. 'Anytime there's an option, there's room for change, there's room to educate each other and educate ourselves with how we can be better or take care of our crowns better,' she said. Similar to braiding hair, other beauty and personal care products marketed to Black women have been found to have toxic chemicals. Hair relaxers, a chemical used to straighten hair, also raised concerns for Black women due to its strong odor and the itchy feeling it gives the scalp. In 2012, a study revealed its toxicity and likelihood of causing various cancer diagnoses. Black women largely switched from hair relaxers to natural styles because of the study. After the study gained national attention, salons and other professionals recorded declining sales of chemical hair relaxers over the last decade from close to $71 million in 2011 to $30 million in 2021, according to market research firm Kline + Company. May believes Black women can make a similar switch again for their health. She describes this as a pattern that continues to put Black women's health at risk, but she believes that being proactive and limiting exposure to toxins in beauty and personal care products is a great place to start. 'It's the combination of all products that we use as Black women to beautify ourselves and to care for ourselves, we have to decrease all other risks as much as possible by just making more thoughtful choices,' May said. The post Synthetic hair contains toxic chemicals. Black women are looking to 'ditch the itch.' appeared first on The 19th. News that represents you, in your inbox every weekday. Subscribe to our free, daily newsletter.
Indianapolis Star
an hour ago
- Indianapolis Star
Caitlin Clark injury update: When will Fever star return? 'We're gonna play the long game'
INDIANAPOLIS – Caitlin Clark will not play in Tuesday's game at Atlanta, Fever coach Stephanie White said on Monday. Clark's status for the game, which come just over two weeks after she suffered a quad strain, was previously up in the air. Clark didn't rule out playing in the game in her availability on June 3, but said she would need to be re-evaluated and left it up to the Fever's medical staff to make the final decision. Now, that question has been answered. "Not for tomorrow, no," White said Monday when asked if Clark would be available on Tuesday. Personal touches, secret messages: Behind the scenes of making Caitlin Clark's new Wilson basketballs Clark suffered a quad strain sometime during the Fever's game against the New York Liberty on May 24, though she couldn't pinpoint the specific play it happened. She reported some pain after the game and got an MRI, which showed a strain in her left quad. 'Obviously, adrenaline covers up a lot of stuff when you're in the heat of battle,' Clark said during her media availability on June 3. 'And after the game, I had some pain, and then we got an MRI, and that kind of gave me the result that I didn't want to see. But, you know, those types of things don't lie.' Clark's original timeline was that she would be out for two weeks before she would be re-evaluated, setting her re-evaluation date at June 8. She was evaluated this weekend and allowed to begin some aspects of practice again, White said, but not necessarily cleared for basketball activities at the highest level. "I don't know if cleared is the right word, I mean, she's ready to start ramping back up," White said. "But it's completely different when you're just doing 1-on-1 workouts, and when you're out there in 5-on-5, getting up and down the floor, moving laterally. So she's been allowed to do some practicing, not everything. And we're gonna be smart, and we're gonna be cautious, and we're gonna play the long game." Clark participated in the portion of practice open to media Monday afternoon, which were shooting drills from midrange and 3-point range. They went around the arc as a team, making shots from each corner, each wing and the top of the key. Clark didn't seem limited in that portion of practice, running for rebounds and shooting as normal. But shooting drills are much different than actual practice — both in the amount of contact and the intricacies of it. "It's one thing to do some shooting drills," White said. "It's another thing to get out there on the floor, get back into movement patterns, rhythm, timing, and so that's what part of, you know, picking and choosing things that they can be in in practice, so that we can see their progression." White did not provide a specific timeline for Clark's return to the court. The Fever play at Atlanta on Tuesday, then return to Indianapolis and a have a few days off before playing the New York Liberty on Saturday. No, the Fever star will miss her fifth straight game as she recovers from a quad injury. Coach Stephanie White confirmed Monday that Clark would not play on Tuesday.
