What GAO Discovered
Annually within the U.S., tons of of girls die from problems associated to being pregnant and childbirth—often called maternal dying. GAO’s evaluation of Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention (CDC) knowledge exhibits that maternal deaths elevated throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Additional, the information present that COVID-19 was a contributing think about one quarter of all maternal deaths in 2020 and 2021 mixed.
Maternal Deaths, 2018 via 2021
CDC knowledge additionally present racial and ethnic disparities within the charge of maternal deaths per 100,000 reside births per 12 months. For instance:
- The maternal dying charge for Black or African-American (not Hispanic or Latina) girls was 44.0 per 100,000 reside births in 2019, then elevated to 55.3 in 2020, and 68.9 in 2021. In distinction, White (not Hispanic or Latina) girls had dying charges of 17.9, 19.1, and 26.1, respectively.
- The maternal dying charge for Hispanic or Latina girls was decrease (12.6) in contrast with White (not Hispanic or Latina) girls (17.9) in 2019, however elevated considerably throughout the pandemic in 2020 (18.2) and 2021 (27.5).
Disparities in different opposed outcomes, similar to preterm and low birthweight births, persevered for Black or African-American (not Hispanic or Latina) girls, in line with GAO evaluation of CDC knowledge.
Stakeholders and Division of Well being and Human Providers (HHS) officers advised GAO that the pandemic exacerbated the consequences of social determinants of well being—components similar to entry to care, transportation, or expertise; dwelling surroundings; and employment—on maternal well being disparities. For instance, service reductions in public transportation and baby care worsened present obstacles to accessing care. As well as, stakeholders and officers mentioned the pandemic highlighted the impact racism has on maternal well being. For instance, physiological modifications attributable to continual stress can improve the danger of maternal dying, in addition to extreme sickness from COVID-19.
Why GAO Did This Research
The COVID-19 pandemic introduced challenges for maternal well being, as pregnant girls with COVID-19 usually tend to expertise being pregnant problems, extreme sickness, or dying. Analysis additionally exhibits racial and ethnic disparities in maternal deaths. For instance, Black or African-American (not Hispanic or Latina) girls skilled maternal dying at a charge 2.5 occasions greater than White (not Hispanic or Latina) girls in 2018 and 2019.
The CARES Act features a provision for GAO to report on its COVID-19 pandemic oversight efforts. GAO additionally was requested to overview how the pandemic has affected maternal well being. This report describes, amongst different issues, what obtainable knowledge present about maternal well being outcomes and disparities throughout the pandemic.
To do that work, GAO analyzed probably the most not too long ago obtainable CDC knowledge, together with knowledge from the Nationwide Important Statistics System, to establish tendencies in maternal deaths and different outcomes, similar to preterm births, by race and ethnicity. As well as, GAO reviewed company paperwork and chosen analysis; and interviewed officers at related HHS businesses, in addition to eight stakeholders—together with researchers, advocacy teams, {and professional} organizations—who have been chosen primarily based on referrals from HHS company officers and evaluations of printed analysis.
For extra info, contact Carolyn L. Yocom at (202) 512-7114 or YocomC@gao.gov.
