In the UK Black women are four times more likely to die during childbirth than white women

This article was exclusively written for The European Sting by Ms. Edna, a fourth-year medical student and passionate advocate for health equity, with affiliations to Students for Global Health UK and the International Federation of Medical Students’ Associations (IFMSA). She is affiliated with the International Federation of Medical Students Associations (IFMSA), cordial partner of The Sting. The opinions expressed in this piece belong strictly to the writer and do not necessarily reflect IFMSA’s view on the topic, nor The European Sting’s one.

In the UK, Black women are four times more likely to die during childbirth than white women, this isn’t just a tragic statistic – it’s an indicator of a deep-routed issue. Across Europe and beyond, healthcare systems continue to reflect and reproduce healthcare inequalities. One of the most overlooked factors contributing to these inequalities is the lack of representation within the medical profession and healthcare leadership. 

Representation within medicine isn’t about political correctness; it’s about patient survival. When healthcare doesn’t represent the diversity of the populations it serves many people are stigmatised, stereotyped, misjudged and ignored. This leads to blind spots in care, mistrust in medical institutions and ultimately poorer outcomes for marginalised groups. Whilst attempts may be made to educate professionals in cultural competence, building a healthcare system that represents the population is an overlooked catalyst for meaningful change. 

Clinical trials still disproportionately feature white participants, meaning that medical guidelines are often based on data that doesn’t apply to everyone. In medical education, students are still being taught to identify rashes and dermatological conditions on light skin as the default. As a result, patients with black and brown skin are at higher risk of delayed or missed diagnoses. Not to mention scenes within the consultation room, where cultural disconnects or communication barriers can lead to misdiagnosis or dismissal of symptoms. 

But the issue goes beyond these individual interactions, it is routed in systemic inequalities. Lack of representation within healthcare creates a petri dish where biases grow unchallenged, and the needs of marginalised groups are routinely overlooked. Patients from minoritised backgrounds often report feeling unheard or misunderstood by healthcare providers and historical abuses such an unethical experimentation on marginalised communities, continue to fuel mistrust in healthcare systems. Without intentional representation and inclusions these gaps in trust will only widen. Research suggests that patients often have better outcomes when they are treated by healthcare provides who share their cultural background, speak their language or are simply culturally competent. Shared understanding leads to better communication and increased adherence to treatment plans.

There have been promising steps forward. Widening participation programmes are helping more students from underrepresented backgrounds enter medical school, which is an acknowledgment of the intersectionality in issues pertaining to access to higher education, specifically medical education. Universities are beginning to decolonise the curriculum and include case studies or resources such as “Mind the Gap” that reflect the full spectrum of human diversity. But more needs to be done, especially in regard to academic research and health policy. 

Inclusion must be woven into the fabric of the healthcare system. Through mentorship, equity promotion, anti-racism training and inclusive research practices. The goal is not just diversity for diversity’s sake, but equity in patient outcomes. Whilst representation in medicine won’t be a panacea for all that is inequitable, it is a necessity. It lays the foundation for trust, improves patient outcomes and challenges the systemic blind spots that continue to affect marginalised communities. 

Lives depend on it. 

About the author

Edna is a fourth-year medical student and passionate advocate for health equity, with affiliations to Students for Global Health UK and the International Federation of Medical Students’ Associations (IFMSA). She has presented research on healthcare inequalities at national conferences and actively works to amplify underrepresented voices in medicine. With experience in medical policy through NHS England and a background in public health, Edna combines clinical insight with advocacy. Her work focuses on the intersection of medicine, media, and social justice—using research, storytelling, and policy to challenge systemic barriers and push for inclusive, representative healthcare systems.

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