Mississippi women experienced pregnancy-related fatalities at almost double the national average during the COVID-19 pandemic, as revealed by the latest Mississippi Maternal Mortality Report. A significant portion of these deaths could have been prevented.
From 2017 to 2021, there were 202 fatalities among women who were either expecting or had given birth within the previous year. Of these, 77 deaths were directly attributable to pregnancy. The report highlighted a concerning racial disparity, indicating that Black women experienced a fivefold increase in death rates linked to pregnancy complications compared to their white counterparts.
Lauren Jones, co-founder of Mom.ME and a participant in the Maternal Mortality Review Committee, stated, “Unfortunately, COVID unmasked and exacerbated an already prevalent problem here in Mississippi.” This federally mandated committee, which includes physicians, advocates, and social workers, is responsible for examining all pregnancy and postpartum fatalities. They determine how these deaths occurred and whether they could have been avoided, ultimately providing recommendations based on their findings.
The committee’s primary suggestion for curbing these fatalities is for Mississippi to expand its Medicaid program, similar to what 40 other states have undertaken. Jones emphasized the systemic fragility in Mississippi’s maternal care infrastructure, noting that the pandemic highlighted the inadequacies in managing what should be standard care.
Research suggested that without the impact of COVID-19, the five-year rate of pregnancy-related deaths would likely have decreased. Instead, the state reported an average of 42.4 deaths per 100,000 live births, peaking at 62.6 in 2021, compared to the national average of 33.2 during the same period. COVID-19 emerged as a significant contributing factor to these fatalities, trailing only cardiovascular issues.
The report also indicated that nearly half of the women who died due to pregnancy complications had not graduated high school, and around 75% were enrolled in Medicaid. The highest rates of pregnancy-related mortality were observed in the Delta region of Mississippi. Remarkably, 83% of the fatalities were categorized as preventable, prompting several recommendations from the committee. These include expanding Medicaid, enhancing training for healthcare providers in areas like blood pressure monitoring, cultural sensitivity, and mental health screening.
Dr. Daniel Edney, Mississippi’s State Health Officer, expressed his condolences in a statement, recognizing the tragic loss of women from 2017 to 2021 and expressing hope for improvements in outcomes moving forward.
This report follows the 2022 Infant Mortality Report, revealing that Mississippi continues to have the highest rate of infant deaths before their first birthday in the nation. However, there was a notable 64% decrease in infant deaths attributed to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) between 2021 and 2022.
Dr. Edney also praised the commitment of the Maternal Mortality Review Committee members, who meticulously investigate the circumstances surrounding these deaths.
In 2024, the committee convened six times to analyze 54 maternal deaths from 2021. Jones concluded by emphasizing the emotional toll of their work but reiterated their commitment to advocating for the individuals lost, hoping to catalyze the changes necessary for improved health outcomes.
