New government statistics indicate that the U.S. maternal mortality rate is declining, following an increase during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). ) published on Thursday.
About 680 women lost their lives last year from pregnancy-related deaths, according to provisional data from the CDC. Which means a drop from 2022, when 817 maternal deaths were reported.
However, in 2021, during the pandemic, the number shot up to 1,205 deaths. Before this, 861 maternal deaths were reported in 2020.
The CDC and World Health Organization (WHO) classify maternal mortality as a death during pregnancy or childbirth and up to 42 days after pregnancy if it could be related to the pregnancy.
Provisional U.S. maternal mortality numbers for 2023, after further investigation, are likely to change. In 2022, for example, the final figure was 11% higher than the provisional figure.
However, CDC maternal mortality researcher Donna Hoyert told The Associated Press that 2023 maternal death numbers are still expected to be lower than 2022.
Verda Hicks, president of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, told Agence France-Press that the lower numbers are positive but also sobering.
"We are reminded, once again, that we are nowhere near solving the problem of maternal mortality, particularly as we try to close the gap in health care disparities," she said.
