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Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Maternal Mortality in the United States Using Enhanced Vital Records, 2016‒2017.


ABSTRACT: Objectives. To better understand racial and ethnic disparities in US maternal mortality. Methods. We analyzed 2016-2017 vital statistics mortality data with cause-of-death literals (actual words written on the death certificate) added. We created a subset of confirmed maternal deaths that had pregnancy mentions in the cause-of-death literals. Primary cause of death was identified and recoded using cause-of-death literals. We examined racial and ethnic disparities both overall and by primary cause. Results. The maternal mortality rate for non-Hispanic Black women was 3.55 times that for non-Hispanic White women. Leading causes of maternal death for non-Hispanic Black women were eclampsia and preeclampsia and postpartum cardiomyopathy with rates 5 times those for non-Hispanic White women. Non-Hispanic Black maternal mortality rates from obstetric embolism and obstetric hemorrhage were 2.3 to 2.6 times those for non-Hispanic White women. Together, these 4 causes accounted for 59% of the non-Hispanic Black‒non-Hispanic White maternal mortality disparity. Conclusions. The prominence of cardiovascular-related conditions among the leading causes of confirmed maternal death, particularly for non-Hispanic Black women, necessitates increased vigilance for cardiovascular problems during the pregnant and postpartum period. Many of these deaths are preventable.

SUBMITTER: MacDorman MF 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8563010 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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