NEW YORK — An increase in maternal mortality has been reported in the U.S., with more women dying around childbirth last year, reversing the previous trend of decline experienced over two years.
Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), released on Wednesday, showed that 688 women died during pregnancy or shortly after giving birth in the past year. This marks a rise from the 669 deaths recorded in 2023 but is still a decrease from the significantly higher numbers in 2022 and 2021, which were the worst cases observed in over half a century.
The maternal death rate increased to 19 per 100,000 live births, slightly higher than the rate of 18.6 observed the previous year.
According to the CDC, maternal mortality includes fatalities during pregnancy, childbirth, and for up to 42 days postpartum, often caused by complications such as excessive hemorrhage, blood clots, and infections.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a significant rise in these deaths due to the specific dangers the virus posed to pregnant women. Additionally, the overwhelming pressure on healthcare providers may have led to neglect of maternal concerns, further increasing risk, according to experts.
The decline in maternal deaths noted in 2022 and 2023 has been largely attributed to the decrease in COVID-19 cases, experts explain.
Nevertheless, this positive trend is currently being undermined by developments that may restrict access to healthcare, professionals say. Factors contributing to limited access cover the shutting down of rural healthcare facilities and the implications of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision that eliminated the federal right to abortion, which has left some doctors uncertain about handling pregnancy-related emergencies.
The United States continues to record one of the highest rates of maternal mortality among affluent nations. Studies have consistently highlighted racial discrepancies in these rates, with Black women disproportionately facing higher mortality when compared to their white counterparts.
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