Missouri report finds most pregnancy-related deaths were preventable

FOX23 News at 9 p.m

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KBSI) — Cardiovascular disease and mental health conditions were the leading causes of pregnancy-related deaths in Missouri from 2019 through 2023, according to the state’s latest maternal mortality report.

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services published the report on behalf of the state’s Pregnancy-Associated Mortality Review Board, which examines pregnancy-related deaths and recommends ways to prevent them.

The report found an average of 68 Missouri women died while pregnant or within one year of pregnancy each year during the five-year period. The highest annual total was recorded in 2020, when 85 women died.

The report found:

• The pregnancy-related mortality ratio was 31.2 deaths per 100,000 live births.
• Black women experienced pregnancy-related deaths at a rate 2.5 times higher than white women.
• The review board determined 79% of pregnancy-related deaths were preventable.
• All pregnancy-related deaths linked to mental health conditions, including substance use disorders, were considered preventable.

In addition to cardiovascular disease and mental health conditions, infections such as pneumonia and COVID-19 were among the leading underlying causes of pregnancy-related deaths.

The report also highlights disparities affecting Black women and publicly insured populations and includes recommendations for health care providers, policymakers and community organizations to help reduce maternal deaths.

State officials said recent efforts to improve maternal health include expanding the Missouri Perinatal Quality Collaborative, extending Medicaid postpartum coverage, increasing funding for maternal health programs and strengthening behavioral health and substance use disorder services for pregnant and postpartum women.