Key Takeaways:
– In 2023, the maternal mortality rate for Black women was nearly 3.5 times higher than for white women.
– The overall maternal mortality fell below pre-pandemic levels in 2023.
– The COVID-19 pandemic had a severe impact on pregnant women, however, the risk increased once life returned to normal due to systemic racism and unequal medical care access.
– In 2023, 669 women died due to pregnancy or childbirth-related complications, a decline from 817 in 2022 and 1,205 in 2021.
– Federal Medicaid program expansion improved postpartum care, contributing to maternal health recovery.
Expanding Racial Disparities in Maternal Mortality
In recent years, the United States has witnessed a disconcerting pattern in maternal mortality rates. Federal health data from 2023 indicated that, at the time of childbirth, Black women in the US were dying at a rate nearly 3.5. times higher than white women. Although maternal death rates in general have fallen since the pandemic, the gap between racial groups has only intensified.
Implications of Pandemic on Pregnancy
The COVID-19 pandemic has undeniably left an indelible impact on every facet of human life, especially on pregnant women. The virus’s complication posed significant risks to expecting mothers. Furthermore, during the peak pandemic phase, overwhelmed healthcare workers may have overlooked pregnant women’s concerns, exacerbating the risks in some instances.
However, as the pandemic subsided, and hospitals and birthing centers resumed regular services, the overall impact of COVID-19 on pregnancies diminished.
Resurgence of Systemic Inequalities
With the return to ‘usual activities’, systemic inequities that target racial groups re-emerged, particularly impacting Black mothers. As Dr. Amanda Williams, the interim medical director for the March of Dimes, stated, unequal access to medical care due to systemic racism continued to pose a threat.
Maternal Death Stats and Causes
In 2023, the number of women who died due to complications in pregnancy or shortly after giving birth was 669. This number shows a substantial reduction from 817 deaths recorded in 2022 and 1,205 in 2021. However, the death rates differed markedly across racial groups.
The maternal mortality rate for white women registered a significant drop, decreasing from 19 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2022 to 14.5 deaths in 2023. On the other hand, the rate for Black women marginally rose from 49.5 to just a tad over 50. Nonetheless, this increase was statistically insignificant.
Among the leading causes of maternal deaths are severe bleeding, obstructions in blood vessels, and infections, including COVID-19.
The Silver Lining: Medicaid Expansion
One of the crucial steps taken towards improving maternal health has been the expansion of the federal Medicaid program. Instead of providing postpartum coverage for just seven weeks, the program now covers up to 12 months. This paradigm shift in policy has enabled more mothers to recover post childbirth and prepare themselves better for future pregnancies.
Fewer Births, Fewer Maternal Deaths
The decline in maternal deaths can also be linked to the reduced number of pregnancies, as observed by Eugene Declercq, a renowned maternal deaths researcher. As the birth rate decreases in the U.S., the number of pregnancy-related deaths naturally follows suit.
Moving Forward
These figures underscore the pressing need to address racial disparities in the healthcare sector. While the overall decline in maternal deaths is encouraging, the amplified racial gap is an alarming concern. The priority must be not only to lower maternal mortality rates further but also to bridge the racial divide in these outcomes, ensuring equitable medical care for all.