Holding the position of having the highest maternal mortality rate compared to other countries, the United States is steadily increasing these national trends due to inadequate healthcare, studies show.
During the last 10 years, the birth rate in the U.S. decreased by 20 percent. In addition, the rate of maternal mortality is growing, resulting in a decline in the number of births and a rise in women losing their lives.
Biology teacher Colleen O’Rourke shared her reaction. “I find it so overwhelmingly infuriating. Not one but two of my friends had life-threatening pregnancies, and the only reason they survived is because of access to high-quality medical care throughout their pregnancies and births.”
Although the U.S. has one of the most sophisticated healthcare systems in the world, the concern is that expectant mothers are not receiving an adequate standard of medical care. This results in babies facing the risk of premature birth and serious disability.
Each year, as many as 70,000 individuals encounter serious postpartum complications, potentially causing subsequent fatalities. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention revealed a report from 2021 of the mortality rate of “32.9 deaths per 100,000 live births, compared with a rate of 23.8 in 2020 and 20.1 in 2019.”
Sophia Louie ’24 stated, “We need to take action and advocate for change, or else more people will lose their lives and maternal mortality rates will worsen.”
The Department of Health and Human Services initiated a call aimed at enhancing the health outcomes for both parents and newborns. Improvements include prioritizing accessibility to healthcare professionals, investing in programs for maternal health, and educating patients on prenatal and postpartum care.
Biology teacher Jack Reardon asserted, “It all comes back to the heavily controlled studies, and the good science of professionals.
“Approximately 80 percent of maternal mortality cases can be avoided through preventive measures,” according to 2017-2019 data from Maternal Mortality Review Committees (MMRCs), which are representatives of diverse clinical and non-clinical backgrounds who review the circumstances around pregnancy-related deaths.
This strongly suggests a critical need for significant changes within the healthcare system, provoking urgent action to prevent further loss of life for newborns and mothers.
