Black women have been more likely than Hispanics, American Indians and Alaska Natives, Asians, Native Hawaiians or other Pacific Islanders, or white women to die in pregnancy or shortly after, every year between 1999 and 2019.
This is not a Key findings of our recent studyJournal of the American Medical Association. American Indian and Alaska Native Women were most at risk for maternal deaths during this time period.
Maternal deaths are defined as death due to any cause, except accidents, murders, and suicides. This can occur during or one year after a pregnancy.
It is noteworthy that maternal mortality rates for all races and ethnicities have increased by more than twofold between 1999 and 2019. The majority of maternal deaths in the U.S. are preventable, as maternal deaths most often result from maternal diseases. There are many effective treatments for certain problemsBlood clots, infections, and heart disease are all possible complications.
Prior research has concentrated on High rates of maternal mortality are found in the Southern U.S.Our results revealed that high-risk groups are found throughout the country.
For Black women in 2019, the states with the highest maternal mortality ratios – meaning the proportion of maternal deaths per 100,000 live births – were Arizona, New Jersey, New York and Georgia, along with the District of Columbia. For Black women, each state had a higher than 100 maternal mortality rate. The national maternal death ratio in 2019 was 32.1% for women of all races in the U.S.
Florida, Kansas Illinois Rhode Island and Wisconsin had the highest maternal mortality rates among American Indians and Alaska Native women between the first (from 1999-2009) half and the second (from 2010-2019).
The risk of maternal mortality increased in each of these three states by 162%. In the United States, maternal mortality among American Indians and Alaska Native women increased in 2019. Other individuals, such as girls, transgender males, and nonbinary people, are at risk for maternal mortality.
Why it matters
It is important to know who the most vulnerable women are in order to prevent maternal death in the U.S. Before our study, there were no estimates of maternal deaths for different racial or ethnic groups in every state.
The U.S. suffers from a high rate in maternal mortality Compare to other countries with high income, despite Spending more per person on healthcare. Since many decades, disparities in maternal mortality persist.
Because most maternal deaths are preventable. interventions can have a major impact. A better prevention of Preterm birth is one of the events that may be related.It is also important. Our research will continue to be used to provide policymakers and leaders in health care with solutions to prevent such deaths.
Recent U.S. Democratic Senators Cory Booker, Bob Menendez and New Jersey, Raphael Warnock from Georgia and Alex Padilla from CaliforniaReintroduced the Kira Johnson ActCiting our study, we urge you to improve the maternal health outcomes of racial/ethnic minorities and other populations that are underserved.
What’s Next
We’d like to know how the common causes of maternal deaths, such as high blood pressure, blood clots and mental health problems, contribute to the total estimates.
Understanding these trends can help clinicians and policymakers create solutions that are as effective as they can be.
The data we used in our study was not from the pandemic years. Maternal mortality has been reported only at the national level. However, reports indicate that rates of maternal mortality have increased since the beginning of the COVID-19Pandemic and that Racial disparities are only getting worse.
Laura FleszarPublic Health Researcher, Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation University of Washington; Allison Bryant ManthaAssociate Professor Obstetrics Gynecology Reproductive Biology Harvard University; Catherine O. JohnsonResearch Scientist in Public Health University of Washington. Greg RothAssociate Professor of Medicine, Adjunct Professor of Health Metrics Sciences University of Washington
This article was originally published by The ConversationUnder a Creative Commons License. The Licensed Terms are available here. Original article.
