BRYAN, Texas (KBTX) – Earlier this month, the Texas Department of Health and Human Services released a maternal mortality and morbidity report showing an increase in maternal mortality in 2020 and 2021.
Robin Page, a professor at Texas A&M University’s School of Nursing, said many of the deaths were related to the COVID-19 virus, which was at its peak at the time.
“We know that COVID-19 has a range of effects beyond just the acute viral infection that makes people very ill and disproportionately affects pregnant women. But we also know that there have been other effects, including depression, suicide and substance use disorders,” Dr. Page explained.
According to the Texas Department of Health and Human Services, the maternal mortality rate was 27.7 per 100,000 live births in 2020. Excluding COVID-19-related deaths, the rate is 24.2. In 2019, before the pandemic, the rate was 17.2.
This hit women of color particularly hard, with the increase being even greater for women of color, 39 percentage points for Black women.
“There’s been a lot of research around these racial disparities and around systemic racism as a factor that influences not only maternal mortality but other chronic diseases,” Dr Page said.
Dr. Page suggested several ways mothers can advocate for themselves in these situations, including an awareness campaign by the Texas Department of Health and Human Services.
“This is essentially a public awareness campaign about the warning signs during pregnancy that not only women themselves but their families and communities need to be aware of,” Dr Page added.
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