A recent report released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says pregnancy-related deaths in the U.S. is on the rise. The report reveals black and Native American women are three times more likely to die than white women from pregnancy-related causes like heart disease, stroke, infections and severe bleeding. However, three in five of these deaths are preventable, regardless of race or ethnicity.
Persistent racial disparities
At a recent CNN town hall, senator Kamala Harris spoke about her own initiative to address black maternal mortality rates.
It’s “a matter of racial bias in the healthcare delivery system,” Harris said. “Those women are not taken as seriously when they show up at the clinic or the doctor’s office or the hospital.”
According to the report, 700 pregnancy-related deaths occur in the U.S. each year. From this calculation, approximately 31% happen at the time of pregnancy, 36% happen during labor or the week after delivery and 33% occur one week to one year after birth.
Prevention
“Every pregnancy-related death reflects a web of missed opportunities,” the report states.
The CDC urges medical professionals to help women understand warning signs as well as manage chronic health issues before and after birth.
CDC Director Robert R. Redfield said access to quality care during and after pregnancy “should be among our nation’s highest priorities.”
“Though most pregnancies progress safely, I urge the public health community to increase awareness with all expectant and new mothers about the signs of serious pregnancy complications and the need for preventative care that can and does save lives.”
In addition to access to excellent prenatal and postnatal care to prevent maternal deaths, the CDC is calling on women to voice warning symptoms to their physicians and to note their pregnancy history any time they receive medical care the year following their delivery.
These findings came from a CDC analysis of national data on pregnancy mortality between 2011 and 2015. Comprehensive data from 13 state maternal mortality review committees were also used.
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