A new study published in JAMA Network Open has found a significant increase in maternal mortality rates in the US, with a nearly 28% rise between 2018 and 2022. The study analyzed four years of nationwide data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and found that pregnancy-related deaths increased across all age groups, but those between 25-39 experienced the highest increase.
The study also revealed large disparities in maternal mortality rates by state, with Alabama having the highest rate at 59.7 deaths per 100,000 live births, followed by Mississippi. California had the lowest rate at 18.5 deaths per 100,000 live births. The researchers noted that these disparities could be attributed to variations in access to prenatal care, labor and delivery services, as well as state Medicaid coverage.
The study found that cardiovascular disease was the leading cause of pregnancy-related deaths, followed by cancer, mental and behavior disorders, and drug or alcohol-induced death. American Indian and Alaska Native women experienced the highest rate of late maternal deaths, which are defined as deaths occurring within a month after delivery due to complications related to pregnancy.
According to Dr. Rose Molina, one of the study’s authors, “the COVID-19 pandemic could have contributed to these disparities.” She emphasized that investing in high-quality pregnancy care for everyone is crucial and called for continued investment in infrastructure and policies to ensure access to quality healthcare.
The US has the highest maternal mortality rate among high-income nations, and Molina warned that maternal health needs to remain a priority. “We cannot take our eyes off of maternal health,” she said.
Source: https://time.com/7276047/pregnancy-related-death-rates-rise-us