ASHLYN KINGSLEY --- Maternal health is the well-being of women during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postnatal period. Despite global progress, 287,000 women worldwide have lost their lives during and after pregnancy in 2020. In 2021, there were 1,205 deaths in the United States, up from 861 in 2020 and 754 in 2019, reflecting a need for urgent reform. Compared to other high-income countries, the maternal mortality rate in the United States is ten times the average of between 2 and 3 deaths per 100,000. Maternal health is a growing concern, especially in the United States where maternal deaths are rising. Maternal complications, including excessive bleeding, high blood pressure, infections, anemia, malaria, and heart disease, contribute to morbidity and mortality. Fortunately, most deaths are preventable with timely care, highlighting the importance of accessible and quality maternal healthcare. Various factors, like older pregnancies and unequal healthcare access, contribute to the increased risk. However, as 84% of pregnancy-related deaths are preventable, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has a plan. The action plan focuses on prevention, improving women's health, supporting research, and recognizing education's role. Targets include reducing maternal death rates by half, decreasing low-risk cesarean deliveries by 25%, and achieving blood pressure control among 80% of women of childbearing age. Education plays a strong role in maternal health, with studies showing that it reduces the risk of select maternal complications and influences their fertility and healthcare use. In addition to the overall maternal mortality rate, it is significantly higher for Black women, exceeding the average by more than double and nearly three times that of white women. Furthermore, the law that allows states to end coverage just 60 days after giving birth puts new mothers, especially from marginalized communities, at higher risk of mortality.
Urgent reforms are necessary to erase these systemic barriers and ensure that maternal care is accessible for all, irrespective of race or socioeconomic status. These implementable solutions demonstrate that the maternal health crisis needs urgent attention, especially in the U.S. with a focus on education and prevention. The United State’s maternal health rates need to reflect the development of the country, which is why the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and other organizations must partner together to make the country safer for women to give birth. Comments are closed.
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