Amber Thurman, a 28-year-old Black mother and a medical assistant from Georgia, tragically lost her life on Aug. 19, 2022, due to a severe infection that went untreated for over 17 hours. Health experts have labeled her death as “preventable,” highlighting systemic issues within the health care system that disproportionately affect Black women as well as, some critics say, a forewarned example of the effects of overturning Roe v. Wade.
Thurman’s journey to seek care
On Aug. 13, 2022, ProPublica reported on Sept. 16, Thurman sought to terminate her pregnancy using safe and effective abortion pills provided by a women’s clinic in North Carolina. Although complications from such pills are rare, affecting only 32 women out of 6 million, Amber became one of the unfortunate few who experienced the complications. After taking the pills, she returned home to Georgia, where she faced intense pain and heavy bleeding.
Despite the North Carolina clinic offering a follow-up dilation and curettage (D&C) procedure, Thurman was unable to travel due to her deteriorating condition. Instead, she sought help at Piedmont Henry Hospital in Atlanta. Medical records indicated that doctors noted a foul odor during a pelvic exam, and an ultrasound suggested possible remaining tissue in her uterus. Alarmingly, the signs of sepsis — a life-threatening condition — were evident; however, the necessary procedure to address her medical crisis was delayed for nearly a full day.
The impact of legal restrictions
Thurman’s situation was exacerbated by Georgia’s Living Infants and Fairness Equality Act, or “LIFE Act,” which imposed strict regulations on abortion and made necessary medical procedures a potential felony. This legal environment caused hesitation among medical staff to act swiftly, contributing to the tragic delay in her treatment. By the time Thurman finally received the surgery, her organs had begun to fail, and she ultimately did not survive.
“Promise me you’ll take care of my son,” Thurman’s mother recounted her daughter’s heartbreaking final words.
Systemic racism in maternal health care
This heartbreaking case underscores the broader issue of maternal health disparities faced by Black women in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC, Black women experience the highest maternal mortality rates in the nation, with 69.9 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2021 — nearly three times that of white women. The systemic racism and misogynoir embedded in the health care system contribute significantly to these disparities.
Thurman’s death is not an isolated incident; it reflects a pattern of neglect and discrimination that Black women face in health care settings. The Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health — which overturned Roe v. Wade — has further restricted access to reproductive health care, leaving many women like Thurman with limited options.
Urgent need for change
Health experts have emphasized that Thurman’s death was preventable, and it serves as a tragic reminder of the urgent need to protect Black expectant mothers and other Black expecting people in the U.S. The health care system — which includes legal rulings like Roe and other policies — must address the barriers that prevent timely and effective care for Black women, particularly in the context of reproductive health and, ultimately, justice.