Maternal mortality remains a pressing public health concern in the United States, reflecting broader disparities in healthcare access and outcomes. As we move through 2024, it’s crucial to understand the current state of maternal mortality, examine statistics, and learn more about ongoing efforts to address the persistent challenges. 

Current Maternal Mortality Statistics and Trends 

 According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the maternal mortality rate in the United States was 32.9 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2021, the most recent year for which complete data is available. This rate, significantly higher than in other high-income nations, underscores the need for systemic improvements within our healthcare system. 

Furthermore, provisional data for 2024 continues to reveal concerning trends. Maternal mortality rates fluctuate, with racial disparities remaining a significant concern. Black women are “about three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes compared to white women.” (CDC, 2024) 

Racial Disparities and Health Equity 

Social determinants of health significantly impact maternal outcomes. Factors such as housing instability, transportation access, food insecurity, substance use, violence, and systemic racial and economic inequalities all play a role in maternal health disparities. 

Efforts to tackle these disparities include supporting state perinatal quality collaboratives and initiatives like the Hear Her campaign, aimed at raising awareness and fostering better communication between healthcare providers and patients, particularly those from underserved communities. 

Addressing Maternal Mortality 

Several initiatives are underway to combat maternal mortality by enhancing healthcare quality and addressing health disparities: 

1. Enhancing Reviews and Surveillance to Eliminate Maternal Mortality (ERASE MM) Program: This program supports states in understanding the drivers of maternal mortality and developing prevention strategies through comprehensive reviews of maternal deaths. 

2. Perinatal Quality Collaboratives (PQCs): These state-based collaboratives strive to enhance the quality of care for mothers and infants, with CDC support focusing on improving equity in care and outcomes. 

3. CDC Levels of Care Assessment Tool (LOCATe): LOCATe assists states in standardizing their assessments of maternal and newborn care levels in hospitals, ensuring healthcare facilities are adequately equipped to meet patient needs. 

4. Hear Her Campaign: This campaign raises awareness about warning signs of potentially life-threatening complications during and after pregnancy, promoting better communication between patients and healthcare providers for timely and effective care. 

Legislative and Community Efforts 

In addition to CDC initiatives, there are legislative efforts to address maternal mortality. The Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act, for instance, is a comprehensive package of bills aimed at improving maternal health outcomes, particularly for Black women and other women of color. It includes provisions for improving data collection, investing in community-based organizations, and diversifying the perinatal workforce. 

Programs like the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) are also combating maternal mortality and addressing maternal healthcare deserts, areas where women face significant barriers to accessing maternity care. 

Technology’s Role in Addressing Maternal Mortality 

Technology can also help combat maternal mortality. Telehealth services, for example, can bridge the gap for mothers in healthcare deserts, enabling them to access vital prenatal and postnatal care remotely. Additionally, digital health platforms can provide educational resources, monitor maternal health indicators, and facilitate communication between patients and healthcare providers, ensuring timely interventions and support. 

The maternal mortality crisis in the United States remains a significant public health challenge in 2024. However, through comprehensive efforts to improve healthcare quality, enhance access, and reduce racial and ethnic disparities, progress can be made. Initiatives by the CDC, legislative endeavors such as the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act, and leveraging technology all play pivotal roles in creating a safer and more equitable healthcare system for all mothers. By continuing to monitor and address the factors contributing to maternal mortality, we can strive toward a future where every mother has the chance to thrive. 

What is a Maternal Care Desert?

Maternal care deserts are areas with a lack of access to essential maternal healthcare services, such as:

• Prenatal care
• Labor and delivery services
• Postpartum care

Due to the lack of available care, women face considerable challenges in accessing timely, adequate care. This can lead to adverse health outcomes both for the mothers and the infants.

Key Problems in Maternal Care Deserts

Limited Access to Health Facilities

Maternal care deserts have few or no hospitals, clinics, or healthcare providers offering maternal health services. Women living in these areas must travel long distances to reach facilities and receive care.

Shortage of Healthcare Professionals

There is a shortage of obstetricians, gynecologists, and other maternal care providers in these areas, leading to care delays and overburdened existing providers.

Lack of Specialized Care

For some areas, even when access to basic care is available, access to specialized care is limited. This can include care for high-risk pregnancies or complications during childbirth.

Higher Rates of Maternal and Infant Mortality

Due to inadequate access to care, maternal healthcare deserts often have higher rates of maternal and infant mortality and morbidity. Women in these areas are more likely to experience complications during pregnancy and childbirth.

Health Disparities

Maternal healthcare deserts exacerbate existing health disparities, particularly affecting low-income women, women of color, and those in rural communities. This contributes to overall poorer health outcomes and can perpetuate cycles of poverty and ill health.

Addressing Maternal Health Deserts

Addressing the issue of maternal healthcare deserts involves a multifaceted approach, including increasing the number of healthcare providers in underserved areas, improving transportation and infrastructure, expanding telehealth services, enhancing healthcare coverage, and addressing social determinants of health.

Several organizations, government agencies, and initiatives are working to address maternal health care deserts. Their efforts aim to improve access to maternal health services and reduce disparities in maternal and infant health outcomes.

Government Agencies:

• Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA): HRSA runs programs aimed at improving access to health care in rural and underserved areas, including the Maternal and Child Health Bureau, which supports maternal and child health services.
• Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS): CMS provides funding and policy guidance to improve maternal health care access and quality through programs like Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
• National Health Service Corps (NHSC): This program provides scholarships and loan repayment to health care providers who commit to working in underserved areas, including maternal health care providers.

Nonprofit Organizations:

• March of Dimes: This organization advocates for policies that improve maternal and infant health, funds research, and provides resources to support mothers and babies in underserved areas.
• Every Mother Counts: Founded by Christy Turlington Burns, this nonprofit works to make pregnancy and childbirth safe for every mother, everywhere, by supporting programs that improve access to essential maternity care.
• Black Mamas Matter Alliance (BMMA): BMMA focuses on improving maternal health outcomes for Black women through advocacy, research, and support for community-based organizations.

Community Health Initiatives:

• Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs): FQHCs provide comprehensive health services, including prenatal and maternal care, to underserved populations, regardless of their ability to pay.
• Rural Maternity and Obstetrics Management Strategies (RMOMS) Program: This HRSA-funded program aims to improve access to and continuity of maternal health care in rural areas through innovative service delivery models.

Telehealth Initiatives:

• Project ECHO (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes): This model uses telehealth to connect primary care providers in rural and underserved areas with specialists, including maternal health experts, to improve care delivery.
• Telehealth Resource Centers: Funded by HRSA, these centers support the expansion and implementation of telehealth services, which can be particularly beneficial for prenatal and maternal health care in remote areas.

Policy and Advocacy Efforts:

• The Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health (AIM): AIM works to improve maternal health care quality and safety through the implementation of evidence-based practices and quality improvement initiatives.
• Maternal Health Task Forces and Coalitions: Various state and local task forces and coalitions focus on identifying gaps in maternal health care and developing targeted solutions to address these gaps.

Leveraging Technology

Advancements in ultrasound reporting and telehealth play a crucial role in enhancing access to quality care and improving health outcomes for mothers and infants. These technologies facilitate remote consultations, prenatal care monitoring, and emergency support and leverage data analytics to identify trends, predict high-risk pregnancies, and allocate resources effectively.

By adopting these strategies and leveraging the efforts of government agencies, nonprofit organizations, community health initiatives, and technological advancements, we can make significant strides in closing the gap in maternal health care and ensuring that all women receive the care they need for healthy pregnancies and childbirths.

January is National Birth Defects Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness for birth defects and their impact on the health and well-being of families, individuals, and parents.

Nearly 120,000 babies are affected by birth defects each year, which can occur during any stage of pregnancy. Birth defects are also a leading cause of infant mortality in the U.S., accounting for 1 in 5 infant deaths, and in the U.S. each year, the total hospital costs of children with birth defects exceed $2.6 billion. (CDC.gov)

Screening and diagnostic ultrasounds are an important part of prenatal care, helping to provide diagnosis that allows families to make decisions and plan for the future.

Download and view an infographic on ultrasounds and National Birth Defects Awareness Month and view more resources below.

Resources for National Birth Defects Awareness Month

Data and Statistics on Birth Defects

Educational and Other Resources for Sharing

Birth Defects and Infant Disorders Resources

Awareness of Birth Defects Across the Lifespan

Learn more at www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/birthdefects