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MacDorman research measures impact of maternal mortality reporting mess in the U.S.

Marian MacDorman and Marie Thoma (UMD) and Eugene Declercq (Boston) urge improved data collection to reduce maternal mortality

In an article and commentary published in Birth in January 2018, Faculty Associates Marian MacDorman and Marie Thoma and Faculty Affiliate Eugene Declercq detail the ramifications of the neglect in accurate maternal mortality reporting that has developed in the U.S. over recent decades. They point out that the United States has not published an official maternal mortality rate since 2007, and the unreliability of a plethora of state-based measures and methods has profound impacts for related data systems as well as for maternal mortality prevention efforts in the U.S. and internationally.

Previous articles have detailed an 87% increase in maternal deaths in Texas when comparing data from 2011-2015 with 2006-2010, but say some of the spike is attributable to overreporting and a flawed data collection system. Prof. MacDorman said the situation in Texas represents parallel public health emergencies: (1) a sharp increase in the maternal mortality rate in recent years; and (2) a lack of reliable data to better characterize and further understand the increase.

“Both the increasing maternal mortality rates in Texas and the substantial data problems identified in our study constitute an urgent call for action,” MacDorman said. “While the dramatic increase in maternal deaths in Texas is most concerning, this is a problem that needs to be addressed nationwide.”

See the complete article in Birth

See related coverage in San Antonio Express News