Tag

Maternal Mortality

All articles tagged with #maternal mortality

health18 days ago•10 min saved

The deadly cost of banning abortion: Romania’s policy experiment

Romania’s Ceaușescu-era ban on abortion (1966–1989) spurred a surge in unsafe terminations and a sharp rise in maternal deaths, with an estimated 10,000 women dying during the ban; when access was restored, deaths declined as abortions moved to safe, regulated settings. The piece frames this as a natural experiment showing that restrictive abortion laws increase unsafe practices and mortality, a global pattern given that unsafe abortions still cause about 8% of maternal deaths worldwide, underscoring that safe, legal abortion saves lives—even though Romania’s case was unusually extreme.

via Our World in Data|

#abortion #health #health-policy

health-and-medicine2 months ago•5 min saved

New study reveals pregnancy mortality far higher than previously estimated

A Brown University–led study using 2018–2021 data finds that death risk from pregnancy (including up to one year postpartum) is 44–70 times higher than abortion and about three times higher than prior estimates, with an average of 32.3 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births and a peak of 43.9 in 2021. By refining death classifications (excluding COVID-19 and nonspecific causes) and using updated pregnancy-check data, the researchers argue that abortion bans could worsen maternal health by forcing pregnancy to continue.

via Brown University|

#abortion #data-analysis #health-and-medicine

health2 months ago•14 min saved

Houston's Black Maternal Health Crisis Reveals Systemic Gaps

In Harris County, including Houston, Black women face markedly higher pregnancy‑related death and infant mortality rates than white women, driven by social determinants, access gaps, and racial bias. A 2016–2020 study found Black maternal mortality at 83.4 per 100,000 live births—the nation’s highest—while Black infant mortality stood at 11.66 per 1,000. Personal stories, like Moriah Ballard’s fatal preeclampsia and stillborn son, illustrate delayed care, miscommunication, and distrust in the system. Local hospitals and advocates are pushing reforms and funding to expand culturally competent care and improve communication, but experts say racism and systemic gaps must be confronted to save Black mothers and babies.

via Capital B News|

#black-health #health #maternal-mortality

health2 months ago•26 min saved

Denied Care and a Dying Heart: A North Carolina Mother’s Death Amid Abortion Restrictions

ProPublica’s investigation chronicles how Ciji Graham, a 34-year-old pregnant Greensboro police officer with atrial fibrillation, could not access urgent heart treatment or a timely abortion under North Carolina’s abortion restrictions, ultimately dying from cardiac arrhythmia. Cardiologists say she should have been hospitalized for cardioversion, but delays stemmed from care being routed through clinics rather than hospitals, unclear policies, and legal fears around abortion. The piece situates her death within a broader pattern of high‑risk pregnant patients losing access to standard care in states with restrictive abortion laws.

via ProPublica|

#abortion-bans #health #health-care-access

health6 months ago•4 min saved

Global Efforts Intensify to Reduce Postpartum Hemorrhage-Related Maternal Deaths

Global health agencies have released new guidelines emphasizing earlier detection and rapid intervention for postpartum haemorrhage (PPH), a leading cause of maternal death worldwide, including new diagnostic criteria and treatment protocols to save lives and improve outcomes.

via World Health Organization (WHO)|

#early-detection #health #maternal-health

health1 year ago•2 min saved

Third Texas Woman's Death Sparks Debate on Abortion Ban Exceptions

A Texas woman, Porsha Ngumezi, died after receiving inadequate medical treatment for a miscarriage, highlighting the impact of abortion bans on healthcare. Ngumezi, who was 10 weeks pregnant, experienced heavy bleeding and was given misoprostol instead of a dilation and curettage (D&C), a procedure some doctors avoid due to fear of legal repercussions. This incident is part of a broader issue where women in states with strict abortion laws face delayed or inadequate care, contributing to maternal mortality.

via The Guardian US|

#abortion-bans #health #maternal-mortality

health1 year ago•4 min saved

UK Residents Shocked by High US Healthcare Costs

A TikTok video has highlighted the shock of British citizens upon learning about the high costs of healthcare in the United States, including ambulance fees, childbirth expenses, and even charges for holding a newborn after a C-section. Unlike the UK's NHS, which provides free healthcare services funded by taxes, Americans often face exorbitant medical bills, leading some to avoid necessary care due to cost concerns. The US healthcare system is criticized for its high expenses despite poorer health outcomes compared to other wealthy nations.

via Daily Mail|

#ambulance-fees #health #maternal-mortality

health1 year ago•2 min saved

"U.S. Leads High-Income Nations in Maternal Mortality Rates"

The U.S. has the highest maternal mortality rate among high-income nations, with 22 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2022, significantly higher than countries like Sweden, Switzerland, and Norway. Black women in the U.S. face nearly 50 deaths per 100,000 births, highlighting severe racial disparities in maternal care. Contributing factors include lack of postpartum support, insufficient maternity care providers, and absence of mandated paid leave, unlike other high-income countries. Addressing these issues with a focus on equity is crucial to reducing maternal mortality rates.

via CBS News|

#health #maternal-mortality #paid-leave

health1 year ago•9 min saved

"US Leads High-Income Nations in Maternal Mortality, Study Reveals"

The United States has the highest maternal mortality rate among high-income nations, with 22 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2022, significantly higher than other countries like Norway, which reported zero maternal deaths. The rate is even higher among Black women in the US. Contributing factors include a shortage of midwives, lack of universal health coverage, and insufficient postpartum care. The report calls for policy changes to address these issues and improve maternal health outcomes.

via CNN|

#health #health-disparities #high-income-nations

health1 year ago•6 min saved

"Addressing the Growing Maternal Mental Health Crisis"

Pregnant women and new mothers in the U.S. are facing a severe mental health crisis, with mental health conditions being the leading cause of pregnancy-related deaths. Maternal mortality rates have surged by 60% between 2019 and 2021, driven by suicides and overdoses. Despite a slight dip in maternal deaths in 2022, experts warn that more data is needed to confirm a true decline. Limited mental health screenings and a shortage of mental health providers exacerbate the issue, while unplanned pregnancies following the overturning of Roe v. Wade may further impact maternal mental health.

via The Hill|

#health #maternal-mental-health #maternal-mortality

health1 year ago•4 min saved

Texas Appoints Anti-Abortion OB-GYN to Maternal Mortality Committee

Dr. Ingrid Skop, a prominent anti-abortion activist, has been appointed to a Texas health committee reviewing maternal deaths, raising concerns among reproductive justice advocates. Critics argue that Skop's views and past actions, including her stance on young girls giving birth and her opposition to abortion, could undermine the committee's ability to accurately assess the impact of Texas's strict abortion laws on maternal mortality. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has questioned her appointment, emphasizing the need for unbiased, data-driven committee members.

via The Guardian US|

#abortion #committee-appointment #health

health2 years ago•3 min saved

Husband of Former Chiefs Cheerleader Speaks Out on Wife's Tragic Death After Stillbirth

Former Kansas City Chiefs cheerleader Krystal "Krissy" Anderson died at 40 from cardiac arrest caused by sepsis shortly after the stillbirth of her daughter, Charlotte Willow Anderson. Her husband, Clayton Anderson, criticized the healthcare system's one-size-fits-all approach to maternal care, particularly for Black women, and described the events leading to her death. Black maternal mortality rates in the US are disproportionately high, and recent studies have shown minority women may be more at risk for sepsis. Krystal Anderson, a software engineer, had made significant contributions to improving healthcare. The hospital treating her could not comment on her case due to privacy laws.

via Yahoo! Voices|

#health #healthcare-system #maternal-mortality

health-social-issues2 years ago•5 min saved

Kansas City Chiefs Cheerleader's Husband Speaks Out on Wife's Stillbirth-Related Death

Clayton Anderson, husband of former Kansas City Chiefs Cheerleader Krystal Anderson, who died after giving birth to a stillborn child, spoke out about her death and the racial disparities in maternal health outcomes. Krystal, who was Black, died of sepsis and cardiac arrest after experiencing complications during her pregnancy. Clayton highlighted the need for better care for high-risk pregnancies, especially for women of color, and criticized the one-size-fits-all approach in healthcare. The tragic incident has brought attention to the Black maternal mortality crisis in the U.S. and the need for improved healthcare for pregnant women, particularly those at higher risk.

via HuffPost|

#black-maternal-health #health-care-disparities #health-social-issues

health-maternal-care2 years ago•3 min saved

Kansas City Chiefs Cheerleader's Husband Speaks Out After Tragic Stillbirth-Related Death

Former Kansas City Chiefs cheerleader Krystal "Krissy" Anderson died of cardiac arrest caused by sepsis shortly after the stillbirth of her daughter, Charlotte Willow Anderson. Her husband, Clayton Anderson, criticized the healthcare system's one-size-fits-all approach to maternal care, particularly for Black women, and described the events leading to her death. Krystal had suffered a stillbirth and a miscarriage scare before her death. The hospital treating her expressed condolences but couldn't comment on specifics. Black maternal mortality rates in the US are high, and recent studies show minority women may be more at risk for sepsis. Krystal, a software engineer, had made significant contributions to improving healthcare.

via TODAY|

#health-maternal-care #healthcare-system #maternal-mortality

health2 years ago•2 min saved

"Brooklyn Hospital Fires Doctor Following Maternal and Infant Deaths"

A doctor at Woodhull Medical Center in Brooklyn was fired after being involved in the deaths of an infant and a mother during childbirth. State investigators found that medical staff ignored worrying signs during the infant's birth, and the same doctor was later involved in the mother's death. The hospital, known for racial disparities in maternal mortality, was declared to be in "immediate jeopardy" by state health officials. The city's public hospital system has promised changes and enhancements to its obstetrics and anesthesiology departments following the incidents.

via The New York Times|

#brooklyn #doctor-firing #health