April 11th to 17th is Black Maternal Health Week, a time to amplify the voices and concerns of Black mothers. Black women have the highest maternal mortality rate in the US, and they are three times as likely to die from a pregnancy-related issue than their White counterparts.
The Black Mamas Matter Alliance (BMMA) founded Black Maternal Health Week in 2018 “to raise awareness of and help improve Black maternal health outcomes.” During the campaign they’re hosting a series of events in the Atlanta area, but their work is year-round. The BMMA’s Black Maternal Health Conference and Training Institute in September highlights programs and projects that are driving improvements in reproductive and perinatal services. Learn more about it here.
One topic we want to acknowledge around Black maternal health is postpartum depression (PPD). The NIH estimates that 29% to 44% of Black women experience PPD symptoms, but they are often misdiagnosed and not referred for the mental health care they need. The same biases driving the disparity in Black women’s maternal health experiences influence the assessment of their mental health needs after childbirth. The solution to the inequity Black women face in the healthcare system is layered; however there are two medical developments that offer some hope: a recently FDA approved PPD pill and the increased use of AI in digital mental health tools.
In September 2023, the FDA approved the second PPD pill, zuranolone (brand name Zurzuvae). The first pill approved by the FDA for PPD required a hospital stay, but zuranolone can be taken at home for up to 14 days. The drug stabilizes a woman’s hormones and can provide relief within a few days. While the pill is not being positioned as the singular solution for PPD, its accessibility and its ability to quickly alleviate PPD symptoms is encouraging.
The increased use of AI in digital mental health tools creates an opportunity for better diagnoses and treatment for Black women who experience PPD. Machine learning has the potential to predict and diagnose PPD using large data sets. As with all AI, however, questions around the tools’ ability to remove cultural biases from the data is a challenge that will need to be continuously addressed. But the option is encouraging given that it has the potential to overcome subjective human biases.
AI chatbots are another use case that aid in PPD care. In 2023, Frontiers in Global Women’s Health published a study showing that mothers who used the mental health app, Wysa, experienced a 12.7% reduction in depressive symptoms. The study’s participants engaged with the Wysa app’s chatbots and learned methods for reframing their thoughts and improving their outlook. As more AI-fueled consumer digital tools enter the market, Black women will have more care options at their disposal.
With organizations like the BMMA doing the work to address gaps in Black maternal health and governmental support via the Black Maternal Health Omnibus Act, our hope is that Black mothers everywhere will be able to receive the care and support they need. In the meantime, AI and digital mental health tools hold tremendous promise for Black mothers who need real-time help.
