Georgia and New York Mothers Are Dying During Pregnancy…But Why?

Maternal death has been a public health crisis for years, with research from 2018 showing that more women are dying due to childbirth complications in the United States than the rest of the developed world. Sadly, the majority of these deaths could have been avoided with better care.

New research shows that maternal death rates may not be slowing down in certain areas, and the reasons behind these deaths are disheartening. States with the highest maternal death rates include Georgia—whose lack of access to obstetrical care and other health care providers, low socioeconomic status, and rampant racism and discrimination all contribute to the maternal mortality rate of 46.2 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births for all women, and a rate of 66.6 deaths per 100,000 live births for African American women, in particular.

New York mothers are also dying due to childbirth for similar reasons. Like Georgia, structural racism, discrimination, and health inequalities are some of the main factors that contributed to New York’s statistics. Findings show that out of the data studied, black women in New York were 5 times more likely to die of pregnancy-related complications than white women, and discrimination was a “probable or definite” circumstance in 46% of deaths related to pregnancy.

Lawmakers’ ears have perked up in recent years, in an attempt to reverse this devastating trend. Groups such as the Black Maternal Health Caucus are working to elevate the black maternal health crisis within Congress, creating legislation such as the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act of 2021.

Do You Suspect Your Loved One Died as a Result of Medical Negligence?

If you believe your loved one died due to medical negligence during her pregnancy, labor, childbirth or the postpartum period, consider speaking to an experienced and compassionate birth injury attorney. The attorneys at Grant & Eisenhofer P.A. can help you understand the potential legal options you may have and answer your questions.