The association of race and ethnicity on obstetric patients' COVID-19 outcomes: A summary of current literature.

Amidst the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, evidence suggests racial and ethnic disparities in COVID-19-related outcomes. Given these disparities, it is important to understand how such patterns may translate to high-risk cohorts, including obstetric patients. A PubMed search was performed to identify studies assessing pregnancy, neonatal, and other health-related complications by race or ethnicity in obstetric patients with COVID-19 infection. Forty articles were included in our analysis based on novelty, relevance, and redundancy. These articles revealed that Black and Hispanic obstetric patients present an increased risk for SARS-CoV-2 infection and maternal mortality; racial and ethnic minority patients, particularly those of Black and Asian backgrounds, are at increased risk for hospitalization and ICU admission; racial and ethnic minority groups, in particular Black patients, have an increased risk for mechanical ventilation; Black and Hispanic patients are more likely to experience dyspnea; Hispanic patients showed higher rates of pneumonia; and Black patients present an increased risk of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). There is conflicting literature on the relationship between race and ethnicity and various pregnancy and neonatal outcomes. Several factors may underly the racial and ethnic disparities observed in the obstetric population, including biological mechanisms and social determinants of health.

TIPS FOR BOOSTING CAMPUS DIVERSITY

Reports by the Association of American Medical Colleges and the US National Science Foundation show that this under-representation is pervasive at every level of academia, including among graduate students, postdocs and faculty members. Organizations such as the US-based Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science, the Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students and the Leadership Alliance have established systems and programmes to develop a diversified scientific workforce. If a lab member publishes a paper, presents a poster, gives a talk or wins a grant or fellowship, principal investigators (PIs), department heads and administrators should show support by amplifying those achievements in department newsletters and websites and on personal and departmental social-media platforms.