Reducing Disparities in Severe Maternal Morbidity and Mortality

Elizabeth A Howell, Elizabeth A Howell

Abstract

Significant racial and ethnic disparities in maternal morbidity and mortality exist in the United States. Black women are 3 to 4 times more likely to die a pregnancy-related death as compared with white women. Growing research indicates that quality of health care, from preconception through postpartum care, may be a critical lever for improving outcomes for racial and ethnic minority women. This article reviews racial and ethnic disparities in severe maternal morbidities and mortality, underlying drivers of these disparities, and potential levers to reduce their occurrence.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Conceptual Model
Figure 2
Figure 2
Cumulative distributions of deliveries according to hospital, ranked from lowest to highest morbidity ratio for black and white mothers

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Source: PubMed

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