General · 3 July 2026
Why Black, Asian women are less likely to get epidurals
New research indicates that Black and Asian women have a lower probability of receiving an epidural during childbirth compared to white women. Experts say this highlights an "ethnicity pain gap" where people of colour often get inadequate pain relief in medical settings. For example, Black Caribbean-British women are 58% more likely to have general anaesthesia for elective caesareans, which is usually less safe.
Reported by The Guardian · How we write briefs