Urgent Action Needed to Address Maternal Deaths in the U.S., New Report Says

Washington, March 12, 2010 – A new report by Amnesty International USA details the soaring rates of maternal death and pregnancy-related complications in the United States, particularly affecting minorities and those living in poverty.

Deadly Delivery: The Maternal Health Care Crisis in the USA, urges President Obama to address the problem as two and three women die every day during pregnancy and childbirth in the USA, yet approximately half of these deaths could be prevented. 1.7 million women a year, one-third of all pregnant women in the country, suffer from pregnancy-related complications.

Larry Cox, executive director of Amnesty International USA, noted, in a press release, how minorities, those living in poverty, Native American and immigrant women and those who speak little or no English are particularly affected.

“Good maternal care should not be considered a luxury available only to those who can access the best hospitals and the best doctors. Women should not die in the richest country on earth from preventable complications and emergencies,” said Mr. Cox.

The report also highlights a number of barriers to maternal health care, including: lack of coverage; shortage of health care professionals, a serious obstacle to timely and adequate care; inflexible appointments, lack of child care and difficulty in taking time of work.

It also addresses the systematic failures, particularly how the U.S. “lacks the political will to make sure good care is available to all women.” Examples of systematic failures include, but are limited to,: family planning gaps; lack of prenatal care; inadequate care following birth; and understaffing.

Deadly Delivery calls for federal accountability on the issue of improving maternal health via an Office of Maternal Health within the Department of Health and Human Services; increasing support for community health centers; establishing state maternal mortality review boards and implementing presumptive eligibility for Medicaid in all states.

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