In 2020, the number of American women who died during or after pregnancy reached high levels not seen since 1968, according to a report by the National Center for Health Statistics.
- Cardiovascular diseases and suicides are the two leading causes of maternal mortality.
- Between 2013 and 2015, 262 maternal deaths were recorded in France.
“Maternal mortality is defined as the death of a woman occurring during pregnancy or within 42 days of its termination, regardless of duration or location, for any cause determined or aggravated by the pregnancy or the care it motivated, but neither accidental nor fortuitous”develops Inserm on his website.
According to a report from the National Center for Health Statistics published on February 23, American women have the worst maternal mortality rate among industrialized countries in 2020. During this year, 861 women died when they were pregnant or after giving birth, compared to 754 in 2019. In the United States, the maternal mortality rate thus rose to 23.8 deaths per 100,000 live births, compared to an estimated rate of 20.1 in 2019. The last time such a high rate was recorded dates back to 1968.
Asked by AFPDonna Hoyert, who participated in the report, indicated that “Covid-19 probably contributed” to these maternal deaths, but that in 88% of cases, this pathology is not mentioned and is therefore only the cause of some of the deaths.
A rate almost three times higher for black women
The data revealed strong inequalities. The maternal mortality rate is notably higher for black women. In 2020, it was 55.3 deaths per 100,000 live births, compared to 19.1 for white women. Clearly, black women are 2.9 times more likely to die during or after pregnancy than white women. According to the study, the increases from 2019 to 2020 for black women and Hispanic women were significant. “It has been repeatedly demonstrated that black women do not receive the same level of care” in the United States, explained to AFP Ebony Hilton, an anesthesiologist at the University of Virginia and expert on disparities in access to health care.
Rates increase with maternal age
In 2020, maternal mortality rates were 13.8 deaths per 100,000 live births for women under 25, 22.8 for those aged 25 to 39, and 107.9 for those aged 40 and over. . “The rate for women aged 40 and over was 7.8 times higher than for women under 25”can we read in the report.
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