Why do so many African American women have premature births (give birth before gestation is over)?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Studies have found that chronic or heightened stress due to racism can trigger early labor in African American women. This is referred to as "weathering" or the cumulative negative effects of social and economic inequality that can manifest in health issues. While poor nutrition can also be a factor, and there are some natural differences in gestational length between races, the impact of stress is a significant contributing factor. It is not a myth that African American women are more likely to have premature births.

Why Do So Many African American Women Have Premature Births