January 23rd is Maternal Health Awareness Day – a day dedicated to raising awareness of the complex factors contributing to maternal morbidity and mortality, while also highlighting initiatives aimed at combating these rising rates. This year’s theme is “Know What’s at Stake.”

Understanding the Role of Maternal Mortality Review Committees

In 2020, the CDC received data on 525 pregnancy-related deaths from 38 states through the Maternal Mortality Review Information Application (MMRIA), provided by state Maternal Mortality Review Committees (MMRCs). MMRCs are multidisciplinary teams that convene at the state or local level to comprehensively review deaths occurring during or within one year of the end of pregnancy. These committees use vital records, medical records, and social service records to understand the circumstances surrounding each death, determine whether the death was pregnancy-related, and formulate recommendations to prevent similar outcomes in the future.

Key Findings

The data revealed that 42.6% of pregnancy-related deaths occurred among non-Hispanic white women, followed by 30.3% among non-Hispanic Black women and 19.5% among Hispanic women. In terms of education level, most decedents (40.9%) were high school graduates or had completed a GED. Additionally, 82.5% of the decedents’ last known residence was classified as urban. In terms of timing, 26.7% of pregnancy related deaths occurred between 43 and 365 days postpartum, followed by 25.7% during pregnancy and 20.2% between 7 and 42 days postpartum. The leading underlying causes of pregnancy-related deaths were mental health conditions (22.5%), cardiovascular conditions (16.6%), and infections (16.4%). Importantly, MMRCs determined that 83.5% of these deaths were preventable.

Taking Action to Improve Maternal Health

As we observe Maternal Health Awareness Day, it is important to recognize the collective role we all play in improving maternal health outcomes. By educating ourselves about the risks and warning signs, supporting maternal health initiatives and policies, and advocating for improved access to care, we can make a difference. Every individual has the power to contribute through numerous meaningful ways. Let’s commit to taking action to reduce maternal morbidity and mortality, while ensuring that everyone can experience a healthy pregnancy and postpartum period. The stakes are high, but together, we can drive change and make a lasting impact on maternal health for generations to come.

To learn about maternal mortality review committees (MMRCs), visit https://www.cdc.gov/maternal-mortality/php/erase-mm/index.html.

To see the data, visit https://www.cdc.gov/maternal-mortality/php/data-research/index.html