The United States has once again received poor grades for its maternal and infant healthcare, with the latest reports highlighting deepening crises across the country, from soaring preterm birth rates to staggering racial disparities affecting outcomes for marginalized communities.
A recent March of Dimes report card for 2024 revealed the nation earned a dismal D+ overall, indicating severe challenges persist related to maternal and infant health. The report found 10.4 percent of babies were born prematurely last year alone, totaling over 370,000 premature births, marking this alarming trend for the third consecutive year.
This year, Vermont stood out as the only state to receive an A for its maternal health, with preterm birth rates at 7.7 percent. The report paints stark contrasts, showing many Southern states, particularly Mississippi which reports the worst maternal health indicators with staggering preterm birth rates of 15 percent, received failing grades. Other states, including South Dakota and Georgia, also fared poorly, raising urgent questions about how to reverse these troubling trends.
Racial disparities remain alarmingly pronounced. For Black Americans, the preterm birth rate rose to 14.7 percent, 1.4 times higher than their White counterparts. Similarly, Pacific Islander and American Indian/Alaska Native populations also deal with severe adverse outcomes with rates of 12.4 percent. Comparatively, Hispanic, White, and Asian people reported lower rates: 10.1 percent, 9.5 percent, and 9.2 percent respectively.
The report warns not just of preterm births but of rising infant mortality rates, which jumped for the first time in two decades. Over 20,000 infants died last year, with the South and Midwest accounting for the highest rates. Maternal mortality also returned to pre-pandemic levels with over 800 deaths recorded, underlining the urgent need for comprehensive improvements.
Dr. Angela Hawkins, an OB-GYN and member of Oklahoma’s Maternal Mortality Review Committee, highlights how these issues reflect broader systemic problems. "We've got huge access issues, insurance issues. Outcomes could definitely be improved. We simply don't have enough physicians to meet the need," she noted.
Oklahoma is one of the states facing severe challenges, ranking 47th out of 50 for maternal and child health according to the 2024 Health of Women and Children Report compiled by the United Health Foundation. Key findings include high maternal mortality, lack of access to care, and high rates of uninsured women and children. Alarmingly, 12.3 percent of Oklahoma would-be mothers reside within ‘maternity care deserts’, areas devoid of hospitals or obstetric care providers.
Women living miles away from necessary care face immense hurdles. Dr. Hawkins explains: "When you have a woman who has to go to a doctor's office that's two hours away, they struggle to make those frequent visits for prenatal care and often opt for less care just to keep up with their needs." Therefore, the lack of care and resources feeds back negatively on maternal health outcomes.
A concerning statistic from the 2024 report shows Oklahoma has astronomical neonatal and child mortality rates, with the infant mortality rate calculated at 7 deaths per 1,000 live births, and some areas showing even higher figures. The review indicates more than half of the pregnancy-related deaths within the state identified between 2017 and 2021 were preventable, according to experts.
The report indicates more than 52.5 percent of the deaths linked to pregnancy complications were considered preventable. Key causes of these fatalities were hemorrhage, infection, and cardiac conditions, with providers needing to improve care around predictable complications.
Across the country, the obstacles to effective prenatal care are not restricted to Oklahoma. The March of Dimes report reveals chronic health issues, environmental risks, and insufficient access to quality maternal care are significant contributors to the rising preterm birth rates and maternal fatalities. This highlights the need to educate communities and improve healthcare policies aimed at overcoming these challenges.
Beyond discrete medical factors, socio-economic conditions compound these healthcare issues. Analysis indicates regions with higher poverty and rates of uninsured individuals correlate directly with adverse maternal and infant health. Uninsured women often enter pregnancy with uncontrolled chronic conditions like diabetes and hypertension, increasing the risks of complications.
Moving forward, experts agree improvements require collaboration and the willingness of policymakers to combat systemic issues through education and reform. With attention drawn to the results of these shocking reports, advocates within the maternal health community urge both state and federal action to propel serious discussions on improving access and support throughout the healthcare system.
The epidemic of maternal and infant health crises, particularly among marginalized communities, should serve as both alarm and call to action for health officials and administrators. Healthcare leaders stress the necessity for more comprehensive approaches, including telehealth and increased funding as immediate avenues for change and improvement.
Dr. Hiren Patel, United Healthcare’s chief medical officer for Oklahoma and Texas, emphasizes the urgency: "It will take everyone working together to address these challenges. We can’t afford to ignore the data any longer. Coordinated community efforts must aim to close the gaps revealed by these reports and improve care standards." With the persistence of these concerns, there's hope on the horizon for implementing impactful policies to reverse the troubling tide impacting mothers and infants across the nation.
