Research Uncovers an Alarming Trend in Maternal Mortality in the United States

A new study led by Marian MacDorman, a research professor at the Maryland Population Research Center at the University of Maryland, College Park, examines the reasons why the number of women who die during childbirth is on the rise in this country, while the number is declining internationally. Of the 31 countries reporting data on maternal mortality to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, the United States ranked 30th. Only Mexico had a higher rate of maternal mortality.

“It’s important to note that maternal death is still a rare event, but it is of great concern that the rate is increasing, rather than improving,” said Dr. MacDorman. “Maternal mortality is an important indicator of the overall quality of health care both nationally and internationally.”

Professor MacDorman notes that one reason maternal mortality rates are increasing is because reporting methods and requirements have revised. But she states that “clearly, the U.S. maternal mortality rate is moving in the wrong direction. There is a need to redouble efforts to prevent maternal deaths and improve maternity care for the 4 million U.S. women giving birth each year.”

Professor MacDorman is a graduate of California State University, Chico, where she majored in geography. She holds a master’s degree in geography from the University of Hawaii and a Ph.D. in demography from Australian National University in Canberra.

The study, “Recent Increases in the U.S. Maternal Mortality Rate: Disentangling Trends From Measurement Issues,” was published in the journal Obstetrics & Gynecology. It may be accessed here.