OLYMPIA – The Washington State Department of Health’s recent Maternal Mortality Review Panel Report revealed an increase in maternal deaths between 2021-2022. The report emphasized that most pregnancy-related deaths were preventable.
Behavioral health-related deaths, including suicide, homicide and accidental overdose, accounted for nearly half of these deaths. COVID-19 was identified as the second leading cause.
“The Maternal Mortality Review Panel Report helps us understand how to make pregnancy, birth, and postpartum care better for people in Washington,” said Lacy Fehrenbach, Chief of Prevention, Safety and Health, DOH.
The report highlighted disparities in maternal mortality rates. American Indian and Alaska Native communities faced the highest rates, with a risk 7.3 times higher than non-Hispanic white people. Recommendations from Tribal and Urban Indian leaders were included to address these disparities.
People in rural areas with limited access to maternity care experienced higher mortality rates than those in urban areas. Medicaid enrollees also faced higher rates compared to those with private insurance.
The report found that 82% of pregnancy-related deaths were preventable. Factors included care quality, financial barriers and limited health care access.
Accidental overdose, particularly involving fentanyl, was the leading cause of pregnancy-related deaths. COVID-19, cardiovascular conditions, suicide and thrombotic embolisms followed.
Recommendations in the report aim to improve outcomes by tackling systemic issues. These include improving health care access, strengthening community support services and providing equitable care.
To prevent maternal deaths from COVID-19, the report recommends the COVID-19 vaccine for all pregnant people and those planning pregnancy. Every COVID-19 death in the report involved someone unvaccinated or partially vaccinated.
For more information, visit the Washington State Department of Health’s website.
