What's Happening?
Janell Green Smith, a 31-year-old midwife from Spartanburg, South Carolina, who dedicated her career to advocating for Black maternal health, tragically passed away on New Year’s Day, less than a week after giving birth to her daughter. Green Smith, who had
been vocal about the disproportionate risks faced by Black mothers, developed pre-eclampsia during her pregnancy, a condition that can be life-threatening and often necessitates early delivery. She gave birth via cesarean section at Prisma Health Greenville Memorial Hospital on December 26, eight weeks before her due date. Although she initially appeared to recover, complications arose when her incision site ruptured, leading to emergency surgery. Unfortunately, Green Smith suffered cardiac arrest and passed away days later. Her daughter, Eden, remains in the neonatal intensive care unit.
Why It's Important?
The death of Janell Green Smith underscores the persistent racial disparities in maternal health care in the United States. Despite being a high-income nation, the U.S. has a maternal mortality rate that is significantly higher for Black women compared to their white counterparts. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Black women die at a rate of 50.3 per 100,000 live births, compared to 14.5 for white women. Green Smith’s passing highlights the urgent need for systemic changes in healthcare to address these disparities. Her work as a midwife was aimed at improving outcomes for Black mothers, and her death serves as a stark reminder of the challenges that remain.
What's Next?
In the wake of Green Smith’s death, her family and community are calling for increased awareness and action to address racial disparities in maternal health. There may be renewed efforts to push for policy changes that ensure better healthcare access and outcomes for Black mothers. Advocacy groups and healthcare professionals might intensify their campaigns to implement more comprehensive training and resources for healthcare providers to better serve diverse populations. Additionally, Green Smith’s legacy could inspire further research and initiatives aimed at reducing maternal mortality rates among Black women.
