New Study Reveals Flawed Data behind Maternal Mortality Rates in the United States
A new study published in the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology has shed light on the concerning issue of high and rising rates of maternal mortality in the United States, attributing them to flawed data collection methods.
Incorrect Classification of Maternal Deaths Undermines Data
For years, the United States has grappled with a maternal mortality crisis, consistently reporting high rates compared to other developed nations. However, the study reveals a potential flaw in the reported data, as it suggests that the data may have been incorrectly classified for the past two decades.
In 2003, the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) introduced a recommendation to include “pregnancy” as a checkbox on the death certificate, aiming to track maternal deaths more effectively. However, the study suggests that this change led to some serious errors in classification. Shockingly, the data included hundreds of individuals above the age of 70 who were somehow listed as pregnant at the time of, or shortly before, their death. This means that deaths unrelated to pregnancy were erroneously categorized as maternal deaths solely because the “pregnant” box was checked.
While NCHS later clarified the criteria, stating that only women aged 15 to 44 should be classified as maternal deaths, errors in classification and misreported data still persist. Discrepancies and misclassifications have continued to show an increase in maternal mortality rates, obscuring the real situation and hindering accurate analysis.
Persistent Disparities in Maternal Mortality with Racial and Ethnic Implications
The study also brings attention to the persistently large racial and ethnic disparities in maternal mortality rates within the United States. Shockingly, Black women are disproportionately affected, experiencing significantly higher mortality rates compared to other racial and ethnic groups. The disparities are particularly evident in specific causes of death, including ectopic pregnancies, hypertensive disorders, embolism, cardiomyopathy, and other cardiovascular diseases.
New Methodology Reveals Consistency in Maternal Mortality Rates
By utilizing a revised methodology for tracking maternal deaths, the researchers found an intriguing trend. From 1999 to 2002, maternal mortality rates in the United States were reported at 10.2 deaths per 100,000 live births. Surprisingly, the rates recorded from 2018 to 2021 were 10.4, showcasing only a 2 percent increase. The revised system provides a crucial context that challenges the perception of a steadily increasing crisis and emphasizes the importance of accurate data analysis.
The study’s findings have significant implications for policymakers and healthcare professionals, urging them to address the flaws in data collection methods that have hindered accurate analysis of the maternal mortality crisis. Rectifying the flaws will provide a better understanding of the core issues at play and allow for more targeted and effective interventions to tackle this crucial problem.
Disclaimer: This article is based on a study published in the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology. The original study was conducted by esteemed researchers whose work this article seeks to summarize in an accessible and informative manner.
