Despite medical advancements, maternal mortality rates in the United States are on the rise, with the most recent data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention revealing a concerning jump from 20.1 in 2019 to 32.9 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2021. Disturbingly, for Black women, the rate soared to 69.9 deaths per 100,000 live births, more than double the rate for non-Hispanic White women.
A research team led by Children’s National Hospital delved into this alarming trend, examining over 30 peer-reviewed studies and health policy publications. Their findings, published in JAMA Psychiatry, suggest a significant link between mental health issues and the surge in maternal mortality rates.
According to the study, mental health conditions contribute to nearly one in four maternal deaths in the U.S., overshadowing the impact of postpartum hemorrhage, the second leading cause of maternal mortality. The researchers highlighted that medical professionals could prevent over 80 percent of maternal deaths, with mental health disorders, including overdose, accounting for more than double the deaths caused by postpartum hemorrhage.
The review also shed light on the challenges faced by pregnant women, with over 14 percent experiencing a new episode of depression during the perinatal period, and an additional 14.5 percent developing an episode within 90 days of giving birth. Despite significant investments at both federal and state levels to improve maternal health access, including over $100 million in state programs, the researchers observed a failure to address this public health crisis adequately.
Study co-author Katherine L. Wisner, MD, emphasized the need to bring attention to the role of mental health in maternal morbidity and mortality, urging public awareness and policy interventions. The researchers advocated for a shift in approach, with a call for paid parental leave of at least 2 to 3 months and a broader focus on fortifying the social foundation to enhance the overall health of families.
“Mental health is fundamental to health — of the mother, the child, and the entire family,” Wisner stated, emphasizing the critical importance of screening and treating all mothers for mental health concerns, particularly during the perinatal period when healthcare professionals have significant contact with them.
