Missouri maternal mortality report shows rate for Black women 2.5 times that of white women

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services on Wednesday published its multi-year maternal mortality report.

The report included data from 2019-23 and determined there were 340 deaths in total. The mortality rate of Black women who went through pregnancy was 2.5 times higher the rate of white women’s, the report says.

The pregnancy-related mortality ratio in total was 31.2 deaths per 100,000 live births, the report says.

The Pregnancy-Associated Mortality Review Board determined 79% of pregnancy-related deaths were preventable. IT also determined all deaths due to mental health conditions were preventable.

An average of 68 women in the state died while pregnant or within a year of pregnancy during the study period, with the highest total being 85 deaths in 2020, the report says.

“Analysis of data and related patient records indicates cardiovascular diseases and mental health conditions (including substance use disorders) were the leading underlying causes of pregnancy-related deaths, followed closely by infections (pneumonia, COVID-19, etc.),” a press release from the DHSS says.

Recommendations to combat the mortality rate, according to the report, include:

• Implementing community violence intervention programs with a focus on reducing homicides among pregnant and postpartum women.
• Local housing authorities implementing policies that prioritize housing for pregnant and postpartum women
• Investing in urban infrastructure.