Maternal deaths in the US are on the rise

In 2021, the maternal death rate in the US rose 40% over the previous year to reach a nearly six-decade high, according to new federal data published yesterday by the National Center for Health Statistics.

🔢 By the numbers… A total of 1,205 US women died during pregnancy or shortly after giving birth in 2021, representing an overall maternal death rate of 33 per 100,000 live births. That’s up from 24/100,000 the previous year, and the highest rate since 1965.

• The latest federal data also revealed stark racial disparities. In 2021, the maternal mortality rate for Black women in the US (70 deaths per 100,000 live births) was more than twice as high as white women (27) or Hispanic women (28).

🤔 What’s behind the sudden increase?… While the report itself didn’t discuss any potential explanations, many health experts say the significant jump in maternal deaths between 2020 and 2021 was very likely due to two main reasons: 1) Covid, and 2) widespread disruptions to medical services stemming from the pandemic.

🌎 Big picture: After maternal death rates rose 78% in the US between 2000 and 2020 while dropping in nearly every other country, America is now the most dangerous place to give birth among all high-income nations. (It’s also the most expensive, too.)