2023-07-05 10:03:17
Title: Maternal Deaths in the United States Have Doubled in Two Decades, New Study Finds
Date: July 5, 2021
Source: Xinhua
A recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) highlights a distressing trend in the United States: maternal deaths have more than doubled in the past two decades. The findings reveal significant disparities, with black women experiencing the highest maternal mortality rate in the country. Furthermore, Native American Indian and Alaska Native mothers have witnessed the greatest increases in mortality.
The study examined maternal deaths between 1999 and 2019 across all states and five racial and ethnic groups, excluding any fatalities caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The absence of pandemic-related deaths in the analysis implies that the overall figures could be even more alarming.
Allison Bryant, a senior medical director for health equity at Mass General Brigham and one of the authors of the study, emphasizes the urgent need to address these concerning statistics. Bryant underscores the significance of understanding the root causes of the problem, stating that while healthcare and access play a part, structural racism and existing policies are also contributing factors hindering individuals’ access to quality healthcare.
The United States stands out for its high rate of maternal mortality, which surpasses that of other wealthy nations. The leading causes of these deaths include excessive bleeding, infections, heart disease, suicide, and drug overdoses.
These findings shed light on a public health crisis that necessitates immediate attention and action. Experts argue that significant changes are required to improve healthcare accessibility and dismantle systemic racism in order to reverse this troubling trend. The study underscores the importance of recognizing and addressing not only healthcare barriers but also the structural and societal factors that perpetuate health disparities.
The United States must confront this issue head-on and work towards implementing comprehensive policies that prioritize the well-being of pregnant individuals and new mothers. By addressing both the healthcare gaps and systemic racism, the nation can begin to curb its maternal mortality rates and ensure the safety and health of all women and babies.
[Insert Photo Caption: Pregnant woman photographed in Houston, Texas on June 10, 2019. (Xinhua photo file)]
Related Tags: maternal deaths, United States, healthcare disparities, racial and ethnic groups, systemic racism, public health crisis, access to healthcare, structural barriers, health disparities, comprehensive policies.]
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