The Immortal Life Of Henrietta Lacks By Rebecca Skloot

Inequality has been around since the stone age and continues to make its presence known today. Rebecca Skloots book, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, is an example of the inequality shown to African-Americans in the medical world. Specifically, the unequal medical care Henrietta Lacks received, which many other black women experienced as well. In her book, Skloot suggests that African-American women suffer from psychological effects after receiving unequal medical care, do not receive equal medical treatment, and are more likely to die from maternal complications. Researchers agree, stating that these are common occurrences in the medical industry.

To begin with, Skloot suggests that there is a psychological effect in receiving unequal

Skloot first brings this objective to light while going through Henrietta’s medical records stating, “Her history is interesting in that she had a term delivery here at this hospital, September 19, 1950. No note is made in the history at that time, or at the six weeks’ return visit that there is any abnormality of the cervix” (Skloot 17). Renée Montagne agrees in her research, stating that black women in the United States have a higher likelihood to suffer from maternal complications than white women. Maternal mortality is one of the biggest problems in women’s health regarding race. This has gone on for decades, and although it is a problem all over the world, it is surprisingly high for the united states. Even having social and economic advantages has no effect on maternal rates. Montagne found this in her research stating, “2016 analysis of five years of data found that black, college-educated mothers who gave birth in local hospitals were more likely to suffer severe complications of pregnancy or childbirth than white women who never graduated from high school.” (Montagne). By not receiving equal medical care, complications are more likely to arise, even causing

This is thoroughly summed up by Skloot, saying, “But several studies have shown that black patients were treated and hospitalized at later stages of their illnesses than white patients. And once hospitalized, they got fewer pain medications, and had higher mortality rates” (Skloot 64). Ann M. Simmons agrees by stating that the United States is behind in maternal care, and the maternal morality for African-American women is higher than many third world countries. Simmons says, “A woman in the U.S., where the maternal death rate more than doubled between 1987 and 2013, is more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than in any country but Mexico” (Simmons). The maternal death rates in the United States has increased, while the rest of the world is decreasing. The United States maternal care is on par with many third world countries, and among maternal mortality, African-American women are the ones most