Maternal mortality rate in the US rose drastically in 2021

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports a 40% increase in maternal mortality in the United States from 2020 to 2021. This sharp increase builds on the steady increase in maternal deaths in the United States over the past few years.

This report is based on data from the National Vital Statistics System, which tracks births and deaths across the country. Maternal deaths are defined by the World Health Organization as “deaths of a woman within her 42 days of pregnancy or abortion”, excluding deaths not related to pregnancy or complications related to it.

A study by the Commonwealth Fund found that the United States has one of the highest maternal mortality rates among wealthy nations, more than three times higher than next-place France.

In the United States, maternal deaths will soar from 861 in 2020 to 1,205 in 2021. The CDC also reports a disproportionate increase in maternal mortality for black women compared to white women, with deaths per 100,000 births rising from her 55 to about 70. increase. That’s more than double her mortality rate for white women in 2021, with about 27 deaths per 100,000 live births.

Experts acknowledge an increase in the covid-19 pandemic that has exacerbated inequalities that already existed in health care. Maternal mortality continues to highlight structural and systemic problems that were evident during the covid-19 pandemic.” “Until we start addressing these issues, even without a pandemic, we will continue to see the numbers go in the wrong direction.”

The report also found a significant increase in the number of older women dying from complications related to childbirth and pregnancy. Among women aged 40 and older she had 139, whereas among women younger than 25 she had about 20 deaths per 100,000 live births. The maternal mortality rate for those over 40 is up 28% from 2020.