IDPH Unveils Maternal Mortality Report, Highlighting Urgent Need for Enhanced Birth Equity Initiatives

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SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has unveiled its recent Maternal Mortality Data Report, highlighting racial inequities and indicating that a significant portion of these fatalities might have been avoidable.

The report scrutinizes incidents of death occurring during pregnancy or within the year following pregnancy, covering the period from 2021 to 2022. To pinpoint the causes and assess if these deaths were linked to pregnancy, IDPH has formed two Maternal Mortality Review Committees (MMRCs).

These committees not only examine the preventability of these deaths but also identify contributing factors and propose strategies to avert future occurrences. According to IDPH, the findings underscore the importance of Governor JB Pritzker’s Birth Equity Blueprint and highlight Illinois’ initiatives to tackle pregnancy-related fatalities and birth outcome disparities.

Throughout 2021 and 2022, the data revealed that, on average, 110 women in Illinois succumbed each year during or up to a year after pregnancy, with a marginally higher count in 2021 than in 2022. Of these deaths, approximately 43% were deemed to be directly related to pregnancy.

Overall, pregnancy-related mortality increased during this period compared with previous reporting cycles and MMRCs determined that 91% of pregnancy-related deaths during this period were potentially preventable.

Additionally, IDPH said racial disparities remained stark. Reports showed that Black women were more than twice as likely to die from pregnancy-related conditions and three times as likely to die from pregnancy-related medical complications compared with White women.

“Behind every data point in this report is a life lost, and far too often, it’s a Black woman or someone living in an underserved community,” said IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra. “These disparities are unacceptable and as the data show, largely preventable.”

IDPH said geographic patterns also persisted, with Chicago and other urban counties experiencing the highest pregnancy-related mortality. Substance use disorder was the leading cause of pregnancy-related death, followed by thrombotic embolism, COVID-19 and hemorrhage.

The timing of these deaths also revealed additional prevention opportunities, as about one-third of pregnancy-related deaths occurred more than 60 days postpartum.

This report outlines key recommendations to prevent future pregnancy-related deaths, targeting action across providers, hospitals, state systems, community-based organizations and payers.

“The Governor’s Birth Equity Blueprint and the investments being made are designed to address these disparities, ensuring that our next steps include coordinated action, shared accountability, and deep community partnership,” Vohra said. “We are working to build an Illinois where everyone has a safe and healthy pregnancy, birth, and postpartum experience.”

To view the full 2021-2022 Maternal Mortality Data Report, click here.

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IDPH Unveils Maternal Mortality Report, Highlighting Urgent Need for Enhanced Birth Equity Initiatives

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