Three National Reports Provide New Data On Maternal Mortality & Maternal Mental Health | |
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The United States averages 700 maternal deaths out of 3.7 million live births per year, a rate far exceeding all other developed, high-income countries.
Additionally, racial and ethnic disparities in rates of maternal deaths persist in
the United States, with Black individuals experiencing maternal deaths
at a rate 2.5 times higher than their white counterparts in 2018 and 2019. These pervasive disparities were present even in states with the lowest pregnancy-related mortality ratios and among groups with higher levels of education.
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These concerns prompted the Department of Health and Human Services to state in December 2020 that maternal deaths are a public health crisis.
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Three recent reports — two from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) and one from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) — provide updated information about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on maternal health and maternal mental health, maternal mortality, and maternal mental health among our nation's military and veteran communities.
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GAO REPORT: MATERNAL HEALTH
Outcomes Worsened And Disparities
Persisted During the Pandemic
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In October, the GAO released a report which indicated that
the COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on
maternal mortality and maternal mental health.
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The GAO's analysis of information from the CDC shows that maternal deaths increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, and that the coronavirus was a contributing factor in one-quarter of all maternal deaths in 2020 and 2021 combined. Racial and ethnic disparities persist in both maternal mortality rates as well as adverse outcomes, with the pandemic exacerbating the effects of social determinants of health and systemic racism on maternal health disparities. Finally, the overall number of women experiencing symptoms of perinatal depression increased during the pandemic. | |
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KEY FINDINGS
- Maternal deaths increased during the COVID-19 pandemic with COVID-19 as a contributing factor in 25% of all maternal deaths in 2020-2021.
- While deaths among all women increased, Black women experienced much higher rates of maternal deaths than Hispanic or White women.
- Rates of perinatal depression increased during the pandemic.
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MATERNAL MORTALITY RATES
NUMBER OF DEATHS PER 100,000 LIVE BIRTHS
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DEPRESSION BEFORE, DURING, AFTER PREGNANCY | |
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CDC REPORT: PREGNANCY-RELATED DEATHS
Data From Maternal Mortality Review
Committees in 36 US. States, 2017-2019
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In September, the CDC published data from 36 states and over 1,000 pregnancy-related deaths. Suicide and overdose combined were the overall leading cause of maternal deaths. | |
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Data was gathered from 36 Maternal Mortality Review Committees (MMRCs),
which are multidisciplinary committees that convene at the state or local level
to comprehensively review deaths during or within a year of pregnancy.
MMRCs have access to a wide variety of clinical and non-clinical information
— such as medical records, vital records, social service records —
to more fully understand the circumstances surrounding each death,
determine whether the death was pregnancy-related and / or preventable,
and develop recommendations for action to prevent similar deaths in the future.
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KEY FINDINGS
- 84% of maternal deaths were determined to be preventable.
- The majority of pregnancy-related deaths occur 7-365 days postpartum.
- Suicide and overdose combined were the overall leading cause of death.
- Leading causes of death differed by race and ethnicity.
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MATERNAL MORTALITY
LEADING CAUSES OF MATERNAL DEATHS
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National Public Radio:
CDC Report Says 84% of U.S. Maternal Deaths Are Preventable
Data highlights weaknesses in care for new mothers, from obstetricians who are not trained (or paid) to look for signs of mental trouble or addiction, to policies that strip women of health coverage shortly after they give birth.
LEARN MORE
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Almost All Pregnancy-Related Deaths Are Preventable, So What Is Congress Waiting For?
An article from the Century Foundation breaks down the main findings from the new data and highlights possible policy responses. According to the authors, "Moms and birthing people have waited long enough."
LEARN MORE
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GAO REPORT: DEFENSE HEALTH CARE
Prevalence of and Efforts to Screen and Treat Mental Health Conditions in Prenatal and Postpartum TRICARE Beneficiaries
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In May, the GAO released a report showing the high rate of mental health diagnoses during the perinatal period among active duty servicemembers, their dependents, and retirees. | |
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Data from 2017-2019 show that about 36% of beneficiaries in the Department of Defense’s (DOD) TRICARE* program received mental health diagnoses during the perinatal period. Servicemembers and their spouses face both unique risk factors for perinatal mental health conditions (separation from spouses due to deployment, isolation from social support networks, and a culture of “service before self”),
as well as significant barriers to accessing mental health care, including fear that seeking treatment will negatively impact their career and make them appear "weak".
*TRICARE is the health program for servicemembers, retirees, and their families.
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KEY FINDINGS
- Rates of perinatal mental health diagnoses among TRICARE beneficiaries is significantly higher than among the general public.
- The highest rates of perinatal mental health diagnoses were among individuals with a history of deployment.
- The vast majority (72%) of individuals diagnosed with a perinatal mental health condition received treatment (i.e. therapy and / or medication.
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MILITARY PERINATAL MENTAL HEALTH DIAGNOSES | | |
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In the United States, 1 of every 4 pregnancies ends in miscarriage,
and 1 of every 160 pregnancies ends
in stillbirth. Perinatal loss is a tragic event, with potential long term negative impact on the parents' mental health.
Learn more from this STUDY about depression and anxiety after stillbirth.
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More than 320,000 women are abused by their partners each year, and domestic violence is often heightened during pregnancy and the postpartum period. Abuse during pregnancy is a risk factor for perinatal mental health disorders and
substance use disorder.
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RTZ HOPE, which annually hosts RTZ HOPEtober, provides holistic support, resources, and community for all people who have experienced unimaginable loss during the journey to parenthood. | |
WEBINAR
November 9 — 3 pm ET
Learn from individuals who experienced pregnancy and infant losses while serving in or alongside the military. Hosted by RTZ HOPE.
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The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence is a national grassroots organization working to stop violence against women and children.
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BRIEFING
October 27 — 1 pm ET
Learn about the effects of Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) on maternal mental health. Hosted by the U.S.
Dept of Health and Human Services.
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NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MENTAL HEALTH PRIORITIZES MATERNAL MENTAL HEALTH | |
NATIONAL MATERNAL MENTAL HEALTH HOTLINE | |
No Increased Risk of Neurodevelopmental Disorders
in Children Exposed to Antidepressants In Utero
Analyzing data from ~150,000 children with prenatal antidepressant
exposure in two healthcare databases, the largest study ever recently
found no association between prenatal exposure to antidepressants
and risk for neurodevelopmental disorders. LEARN MORE.
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General Hospital Psychiatry Journal
Seeks Articles on Perinatal Mental Health
A special issue of General Hospital Psychiatry will focus on perinatal mental health. Editors are seeking review articles, conceptual manuscripts, original research reports, letters to the editor, and editorials. Due January 15. LEARN MORE.
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Blue Cross Blue Shield Focuses on Maternal Health
Blue Cross Blue Shield's "Health of America" series has curated a series of reports, articles, stories, and resources about maternal health. LEARN MORE.
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"If this is not a call to action, I don't know what is.
We have long known that mental health conditions are the most common complication of pregnancy and childbirth.
We now have the national will to do something about it."
― Adrienne Griffen, MMHLA Executive Director
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Building Partnerships
Advocating for Change
Curating Information
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Our vision is universal and equitable education, prevention, screening, and treatment for maternal mental health conditions during pregnancy and year following pregnancy. | | | | | |
