In the United States, the maternal mortality rate is alarmingly high, and Black women are disproportionately affected. Despite the advances in modern medicine, the United States ranks poorly in maternal health outcomes compared to other developed countries. This crisis demands immediate attention and action to ensure the safety and well-being of mothers and babies in the United States.
The maternal mortality rate in the United States is more than twice the rate in other developed countries. In 2020, there were 23.8 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births in the United States, compared to 4.2 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births in Sweden. Black women in the United States are three to four times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women. Systemic racism, implicit bias, and lack of access to quality healthcare contribute to this disparity.
The infant mortality rate in the United States is also a cause for concern. In 2020, there were 5.4 infant deaths per 1,000 live births in the United States, compared to 2.9 infant deaths per 1,000 live births in Japan. Black infants in the United States are more than twice as likely to die before their first birthday than white infants, a gap that has remained largely unchanged for decades.
The United States spends more on healthcare than any other country in the world, yet it has some of the worst maternal and infant health outcomes among developed nations. This is a clear indication that the US healthcare system is failing mothers and babies.
There are a number of factors that contribute to the poor maternal and infant health outcomes in the United States. These include:
– Lack of access to quality healthcare, especially for Black women and other marginalized groups.
– Implicit bias and racism in the healthcare system.
– High rates of poverty and inequality.
– Lack of paid parental leave and other supports for families.
– Maternal health deserts, where women have limited or no access to obstetric care.
To address the maternal mortality and infant mortality crises in the United States, it is essential to:
– Increase access to quality healthcare for all women, especially Black women and other marginalized groups.
– Eliminate implicit bias and racism in the healthcare system.
– Invest in programs to reduce poverty and inequality.
– Provide paid parental leave and other supports for families.
– Expand access to maternal health services in underserved areas.
The United States has a moral obligation to ensure the safety and well-being of mothers and babies. By taking action to address the root causes of the maternal mortality and infant mortality crises, we can create a more just and equitable society where all women and children have the opportunity to thrive.
Sources:
[1] https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/vsus/vsus_2020_508.pdf
[2] https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/maternal-mortality
[3] https://www.marchofdimes.org/mission/state-of-babies-united-states.aspx#.X8t_2ohKhPY
[4] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6094639/
[5] https://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/issue-briefs/2020/nov/maternal-mortality-united-states-higher-other-developed
[6] https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2019/04/11/712385586/why-do-black-women-have-higher-maternal-mortality-rates-than-white-women
[7] https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/11/upshot/race-maternal-mortality-us-health-care.html
[8] https://www.brookings.edu/blog/fixgov/2021/01/21/the-u-s-maternal-mortality-crisis-why-do-so-many-women-die-in-childbirth/
[9] https://www.americanprogress.org/issues/women/reports/2021/05/12/498352/maternal-mortality-maternity-care-desert/
[10] https://www.healthaffairs.org/do/10.1377/hblog20181017.878899/full/.
