Black Maternal Health Week Is April 11-17
Black Maternal Health Week is held annually on April 11-17 to bring attention to improving Black maternal health. In 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that 1,205 women died of maternal causes in the United States compared with 861 in 2020 and 754 in 2019.
Higher Mortality Rates
The maternal mortality rate for 2021 was 32.9 deaths per 100,000 live births, compared with a rate of 23.8 in 2020 and 20.1 in 2019. The CDC also reported that the mortality rates for Black women were significantly higher than rates for White and Hispanic women. The maternal mortality rate for non-Hispanic Black women was 69.9 deaths per 100,000 live births, 2.6 times the rate for non-Hispanic White women (26.6).
Mortality Rate Increases with Age
Rates also increased with maternal age. Rates in 2021 were 20.4 deaths per 100,000 live births for women under age 25, 31.3 for those aged 25–39, and 138.5 for those aged 40 and over. The rate for women aged 40 and over was 6.8 times higher than the rate for women under age 25.
Postpartum Challenges
In one-year postpartum, suicide and substance use are the leading causes of maternal deaths, with suicide accounting for 9% of the maternal mortality rate. Maternal mental health conditions, such as anxiety, perinatal and postpartum depression, birth-related PTSD, are the most common complications of pregnancy and childbirth, affecting 1 in 5 women. Among those affected, 75% go untreated. While women of color are more likely to experience these conditions, they also are less likely to seek help.
Additional Challenges in Urban and Rural Areas
In addition to the continued increase in maternal deaths, there is a national crisis of disappearing maternal health care. A USA Today analysis found that about 2 million rural women of childbearing age live at least 25 miles away from a labor and delivery unit. Some urban communities are also losing their labor and delivery units. Half of the rural counties in the US have no obstetric care or OB-GYN practitioner and researchers found that Black communities are more likely to lose their obstetric units.
Some Warning Signs to Seek Care Immediately
Some urgent warning signs requiring immediate attention include:
- Severe headache
- Extreme swelling of hands or face
- Trouble breathing
- Heavy vaginal bleeding or discharge
- Overwhelming tiredness
Tips
Pregnant people and their families can:
- Talk to a healthcare provider if anything doesn’t feel right or is concerning.
- Know and seek immediate care if experiencing any of the urgent maternal warning signs, which could indicate a potentially life-threatening complication.
- Document and share pregnancy history during each medical care visit for up to one year after delivery.
- Maintain ongoing healthcare and social support systems before, during, and after pregnancy.
References
- https://www.cdc.gov/healthequity/features/maternal-mortality/index.html
- https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/hestat/maternal-mortality/2021/maternal-mortality-rates-2021.htm
- https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2023/03/16/maternal-mortality-rate-surging-again/11465170002/
- https://www.aha.org/news/blog/2022-04-07-making-maternal-mental-health-priority
