Munira Gunja, a senior researcher with the Commonwealth Fund, expressed a somber outlook on the state of maternal mortality rates in the United States compared to other high-income countries. According to the study, the U.S. is not performing well in this area.
The study focused on evaluating maternal health in 14 different nations, namely the United States, Australia, Canada, Chile, France, Germany, Japan, Korea, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. The researchers thoroughly examined the factors that contribute to maternal health in these countries.
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According to the report, the majority of maternal deaths in the United States, approximately 65%, happen after childbirth. Shockingly, over 80% of these deaths could have been prevented.
Home visits and guaranteed paid leave, which are essential for the health and well-being of women, are lacking in the United States compared to other countries. This makes it more challenging for women to receive the necessary support and care they require.
In contrast, it’s worth noting that all other high-income countries require a minimum of 14 weeks of paid leave from work after giving birth, with many requiring six months or more.
Researchers have found that there is a significant scarcity of maternity care providers in the United States.
The United States and Canada are facing a shortage of midwives, with only 16 and 13 midwives per 1,000 live births, respectively. In contrast, other countries have much higher numbers, ranging from two to six times more midwives per 1,000 live births, excluding Korea.
Dr. Laurie Zephyrin, the senior vice president for advancing health equity at the Commonwealth Fund, expressed deep concern over the racial disparities that continue to exist within the United States. She noted that the U.S. stands out as an outlier in this regard, and emphasized the need for urgent action to address this issue.
