Investigating maternal and perinatal outcomes among women from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic groups
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5 May 2020
Investigating maternal and perinatal outcomes among women from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic groups
In the UK, deaths during pregnancy or shortly following birth are substantially increased among women and babies from Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) backgrounds. Research is urgently needed to understand the specific factors affecting maternal and perinatal mortality and morbidity in different ethnic groups.
higher maternal mortality rate for Black women in the UK compared to white women
higher maternal mortality rate for Asian women compared to white women
The scale of these inequalities is stark and has persisted for many years. Yet the specific factors that explain these differences — including the roles of social vulnerability, mental health, co-morbidities, and access to care — are not well understood within different ethnic subgroups.
This project uses linked electronic health records to investigate what drives these disparities in south London, one of the UK’s most ethnically diverse regions.
Why this research is urgent
Maternity inequalities affecting BAME women represent one of the most significant and persistent challenges in UK healthcare. MBRRACE-UK (Mothers and Babies: Reducing Risk through Audits and Confidential Enquiries) has consistently highlighted these disparities over many years, yet the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood.
Without understanding the specific factors that drive worse outcomes — whether social vulnerability, mental health conditions, access barriers, clinical co-morbidities, or the quality of care received — it is impossible to design targeted interventions to close the gap.
How the research will be carried out
The study will analyse electronic healthcare records from the eLIXIR (early-LIfe data cross-LInkage in Research) study.
About eLIXIR
The eLIXIR study is a unique data linkage of hospital records of pregnant women, babies and children with mental health and GP records in south London. It captures the ethnic and socio-economic diversity of this urban population — making it particularly well-suited to studying health inequalities.
Using this data, researchers will investigate:
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Differences in maternal and neonatal outcomes among women from different ethnic backgrounds
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Social vulnerability and how it relates to outcomes across ethnic groups
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Mental health problems and their contribution to worse perinatal outcomes in BAME women
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Factors that may help explain any observed variation in outcomes between ethnic groups
Potential benefits of the research
Findings will help inform future intervention strategies to reduce morbidity and mortality among women and babies from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds — both in south London and nationally.
Original source: arc-sl.nihr.ac.uk — NIHR ARC South London legacy content archived May 2026.