Review finds NICUs are not immune from racism, prompting call for health equity 

A review of 41 articles looking at racial disparities when it comes to infants in NICUs finds that African American women are less likely to give birth in top-ranked hospitals. Hospitals that routinely served minority populations were also more likely to have higher infant mortality rates. The findings, the authors write, show that “NICUs are not isolated from racism.” In a related paper, scientists say that actions aimed at improving health equity could help bridge the disparities experienced by African Americans. In a policy statement, the American Academy of Pediatrics outlines research that has shown that racism is a social determinant of health and negatively impacts the early childhood and adolescent health of minority children. “Pediatricians must examine their own biases,” the statement says, and advocate for policies that improve all aspects of the lives of children’s health.