Four out of five pregnancy-related deaths in the United States could be prevented, according to a report released this week by public health authorities in a country with a very high maternal mortality rate, particularly among black women. AFP.

The study looked at nearly 1,000 women who died between 2017 and 2019 as a result of pregnancy or pregnancy-related complications within a year of giving birth.

“This report paints a much clearer picture of pregnancy-related deaths in this country,” said Wanda Barfield, a spokeswoman for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the nation’s top federal health agency.

About 22% of deaths occurred during pregnancy, 25% occurred on the day of birth or within a week, and 53% occurred up to a year later.

Mental health problems (including suicide or overdose) were the first cause identified in 23% of cases, followed by bleeding (14%) or heart problems (13%).

Deaths were analyzed by local expert commissions – consisting of gynecologists, representatives of associations, health care, etc. – who provided recommendations.

These commissions had access to “a variety of information to understand the circumstances under which each death occurred” so they could, for example, “determine the relationship between suicide or overdose and pregnancy,” CDC’s David Goodman told AFP.

Pregnancy or its effects may, for example, worsen mental illness, make it difficult to access psychiatric treatment, or cause pain that leads to substance abuse or self-harm.

A death was considered “preventable” if there was “at least a chance” that it could be avoided through “reasonable changes” in the health care system by the patient or his community.

Recommended interventions include: better access to health insurance, improved prenatal and postnatal care, and better transportation options to access needed care.