Billy Long: Maternal mortality is an American health crisis

(From Seventh District Congressman Billy Long)

The miracle of childbirth can and should be one of the most exhilarating times of one’s life. Bringing a new life into this world literally changes everything.

Unfortunately for many families across the United States, what is supposed to be the happiest moment of a new parent’s life can take a tragic turn as the mother can unexpectedly face fatal complications. 

America is currently experiencing a maternal mortality crisis which is why as a member of the Energy & Commerce Health Subcommittee and a member of the Black Maternal Health Caucus, I am committed to exploring ways to make childbirth safer.

The United States presently has the highest maternal mortality rate in the developed world with an estimated 26.4 deaths per 100,000 live births. 

While maternal mortality rates fell 44% around the world from 1990-2015, the U.S.’s rate increased by 16.7%, making the United States the only developing nation with rising rates. These statistics indicate that during this 25-year period, only three countries experienced a rise in maternal death rates: Afghanistan, Sudan, and the United States. 

Perhaps what makes these statistics even more concerning is the fact that according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 60% of these deaths are preventable.

Unfortunately, the news continues to get worse as research suggests that for every woman who dies, 70 women nearly died due to complications associated with pregnancy or childbirth. 

Statistics also reveal that black women are exceptionally vulnerable and are three to four times more likely to die during or shortly after childbirth than their white counterparts, regardless of education or socioeconomic status. 

While these statistics are mystifying for a nation leading in medical innovation, high maternal mortality rates are inexcusable and must be swiftly addressed.

In an effort to improve maternal mortality rates, the National Institutes of Health (NIH), dedicated $303 million in 2018 to researching the causes of maternal mortality and $419 million towards pregnancy; however, they acknowledge that far more work needs to be done on this subject. 

NIH is focusing their efforts on addressing infection, amniotic fluid embolisms, hemorrhages, and cardiovascular conditions, which are identified as the leading causes of maternal morbidity and mortality. 

By focusing on these complications, NIH hopes that early intervention could lead to a decline in deaths during childbirth. They have also hosted meetings with leading experts and physicians to identify proactive measures doctors can deploy to curtail maternal mortality rates.

While I applaud these efforts, I believe that we must do more to address this major health crisis. Congress owes it to expectant and new mothers to investigate maternal mortality and ensure that experts in the field have the support necessary to identify and facilitate positive changes. 

Having a baby should be the happiest time in someone’s life, not one of the most devastating. We owe it to the spouses who have lost their wives and the children who have lost their mother due to complications during pregnancy or childbirth to make a concerted effort to promote maternal health, and I look forward to continuing my work with fellow members of the Energy and Commerce Committee and the Black Maternal Health Caucus to address this issue.