Childbirth increasingly deadly for Indiana mothers
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Maternal mortality rates in Indiana more than doubled between 1999 and 2019, according to a JAMA study that provides the first state-level breakdowns by ethnic group, Axios' Oriana González reports.
Driving the news: American Indians and Alaska Natives had the biggest increases, particularly in states in the middle of the country, including Indiana, where such inequities "had not been previously highlighted," researchers wrote.
- "Often, states in the South are called out as having the worst maternal mortality rates in the nation, whereas California and Massachusetts have the best. But that doesn't tell the whole story," said Allison Bryant, co-first study author.
By the numbers: The number of deaths per 100,000 live births in Indiana increased from 8 to 19.9 between 1999-2019.
- Broken down by group, such deaths across Indiana rose from 25.2 to 88.9 among American Indians and Alaska Natives; 19.4 to 39.2 among Black individuals, 9.8 to 12.2 among Asians, Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders (AAPI); and 10.4 to 43.1 among white people, researchers found.
The big picture: Nationwide maternal mortality rates more than doubled between 1999 and 2019, with states in the Midwest, Great Plains and South accounting for significant increases.
- Overall, there were an estimated 1,210 U.S. maternal deaths in 2019, compared to 505 in 1999.
Details: Maternal mortality is defined as a death that takes place during birth or up to a year later.
- The study looked at pregnant individuals aged 10 to 54.
- Common causes of maternal death include mental health conditions (including death by suicide and overdose related to substance use disorder), hemorrhages, blood clots, high blood pressure and cardiac and coronary conditions.
Go deeper: Maternal deaths widespread beyond the South