Tori Bowie (left) tragically passed away during childbirth, while her gold medal-winning colleagues Tianna Madison (formerly Bartoletta, second left) and Allyson Felix (third left) faced perilous complications during their respective pregnancies.
Allyson Felix, a renowned Olympic athlete, has made an impassioned plea for the improvement of maternity healthcare for black women, in the wake of her team-mate Tori Bowie’s death, hoping her loss will catalyze significant changes.
Bowie succumbed to complications during childbirth in May, at the age of 32. In an alarming revelation, three out of the four American athletes who bagged the 4x100m relay gold at the Rio 2016 Olympics, have either nearly lost their lives or died during childbirth.
Felix, who had a preterm delivery at 32 weeks in 2018 due to pre-eclampsia, expressed her fear and uncertainty about her survival during that time. Bowie’s and Felix’s team-mate, Tianna Madison (formerly Bartoletta) also had a close brush with death during her early labour at 26 weeks.
In a piece for Time magazine, Felix, a seven-time Olympic champion, expressed her concern, “Three gold medalists from that 4x100m relay team in Rio aspired to become mothers. All of us – all Black women – suffered severe complications. Tori didn’t survive. We are in the midst of a black maternal health crisis. Here we are, three Olympic champions, yet we are not safe.”
Felix, regarded as the most decorated US track and field athlete ever, cited 2021 CDC data which highlighted that the maternity mortality rate for black women in the United States is 2.6 times higher than their white counterparts.
Simultaneously, 2021 research from the University of Oxford in the UK revealed black women to be four times more likely to die during pregnancy and childbirth than white women.
In light of Bowie’s heartrending demise, Felix said, “This needs to change, immediately. Greater awareness is critical. Serena Williams faced a near-death situation during her pregnancy. Beyonce developed pre-eclampsia [a condition leading to high blood pressure during pregnancy and post-labour].
“It’s tragic that Tori’s circumstances had to bring this issue into the spotlight and compel people to pay heed to it. However, sometimes such shockers are required to awaken us.”
Expressing her anxieties about future pregnancies, 37-year-old Felix urged the healthcare sector to “step up”, “acknowledge the suffering of black women” and ensure better care.
Maintaining an optimistic outlook, Felix added, “I believe that we can turn things around. I hope that the memory of Tori, who proudly stood on the Rio podium with a gold medal around her neck and a gentle spirit, will drive this change, so her loss won’t be in vain.”
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Maternity care for Black women
What call to action has Allyson Felix made?
Allyson Felix has made a plea for the enhancement of maternity healthcare for black women.
What tragic event spurred Felix’s call for improved maternity care?
The death of her team-mate Tori Bowie during childbirth prompted Felix’s call for better maternity care.
How many members of the 4x100m relay gold team at Rio 2016 Olympics faced serious complications during childbirth?
Three members of the 4x100m relay gold team at the Rio 2016 Olympics, including Felix, Bowie and Tianna Madison, faced serious complications during childbirth.
What health issues did Felix and Madison experience during their pregnancies?
Allyson Felix developed pre-eclampsia and had a preterm birth at 32 weeks, while Tianna Madison went into labor at 26 weeks and nearly lost her life.
What does the 2021 CDC data reveal about the maternity mortality rate of black women in the United States?
The 2021 CDC data states that the maternity mortality rate for black women in the United States is 2.6 times higher than the rate for white women.
What are Felix’s concerns about having more children?
Felix expressed a very real concern about facing similar health complications if she decided to have more children in the future.
What change does Felix hope for in light of Tori Bowie’s death?
Felix hopes that Bowie’s tragic passing will act as a catalyst for change, ensuring better maternity care and health awareness for black women.
More about Maternity care for Black women
- Allyson Felix’s Time Magazine Article
- CDC Data on Maternal Mortality Rates
- University of Oxford Research on Maternal Mortality
- Tori Bowie’s Olympic Profile
- Allyson Felix’s Olympic Profile
- Information on Pre-eclampsia
2 comments
This is so sad.. and eye-opening. I didnt realise the risk was so high for black women. Something needs to change, and soon.
Wow, that’s heart breaking. The stats are shocking, who knew maternity care was so bad for black women. Thank you Allyson for using your platform to raise awareness!