Federal legislation proposed to reduce maternal deaths

The push to reduce poor maternal health outcomes has seen new momentum as federal lawmakers and Biden administration officials previewed their priorities — including reversing a rise in maternal disparities among Black women (Source; “Lawmakers, advocates hopeful for more bills to curb maternal deaths,” Roll Call, April 20).
 
The United States leads among developed nations in its poor maternal mortality rates, referring to deaths during or up to one year after childbirth. These deaths — alongside maternal morbidity, or long-term health problems arising from pregnancy or childbirth — are growing problems nationally.
 
Last week, HPIO released a fact sheet titled “Racial and geographic disparities in maternal morbidity and mortality.” The fact sheet includes an analysis of the drivers of maternal morbidity and mortality in Ohio and descriptions of what works to reduce disparities.