Key Findings:
The 2023 report from MBRRACE reveals concerning disparities in maternal mortality rates in the UK, particularly among women from Black and Asian ethnic backgrounds.
Between 2019 and 2021, women from Black ethnic backgrounds were nearly four times more likely to die during or up to six weeks after pregnancy compared to White women, while Asian women had a maternal mortality rate almost twice as high as White women.
Women residing in deprived areas, regardless of ethnic background, faced a twofold higher risk of maternal mortality compared to those from affluent areas.
12% of women who died during or up to a year after pregnancy experienced multiple severe disadvantages, including mental health issues, domestic abuse, or substance use, posing challenges for maternal healthcare providers.
Mental health-related causes contributed to nearly 40% of deaths occurring six weeks to a year after pregnancy.
Covid-19 emerged as a significant contributor to maternal mortality, accounting for 14% of all fatalities during or up to six weeks after pregnancy, with factors such as confused messaging and vaccine hesitancy potentially playing a role.
Implications:
The findings underscore the urgent need to address racial and socioeconomic disparities in maternal healthcare access and outcomes.
Healthcare providers must receive adequate training to support women facing multiple disadvantages, including mental health challenges and domestic abuse.
Efforts to improve maternal health outcomes should prioritize culturally sensitive care and targeted interventions to address the needs of at-risk populations.
Source and Context:
The report was published by MBRRACE, the organization overseeing the UK’s Maternal, Newborn, and Infant clinical Outcome Review Programme, in collaboration with the Healthcare Quality Improvement Partnership.
The study period covered data from 2019 to 2021, providing recent insights into maternal mortality trends and contributing factors.
Limitations may include potential underreporting or misclassification of maternal deaths, as well as the complex interplay of social determinants impacting maternal health outcomes.
Conclusion:
Addressing disparities in maternal mortality requires a multifaceted approach that tackles systemic inequities in access to healthcare, socioeconomic support, and public health messaging. By prioritizing equity and inclusivity in maternal healthcare delivery, policymakers and healthcare stakeholders can work towards reducing preventable maternal deaths and promoting healthier outcomes for all women and their babies.
