The data is based on research carried out during 2008 and 2009. The organization has framed their conclusions as a call to action for women’s human rights in America. The revelation that “more than two women die everyday in the USA from complications of pregnancy and childbirth,” with half of those death being preventable if appropriate maternal health care was accessible, demands accountability. Since there are no federal requirements to report maternal mortality, the actual number of deaths may exceed those counted by double the amount.
What constitutes maternal health? The World Health Organization defines it as the “health of a woman during pregnancy, childbirth, and the post-partum period.” How does America, the number one global spender on health care, measure up against other nations? The latest available statistics come from 2006, when there were 13.3 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births.
In an example of a one-on-one matchup, when compared with Germany, the United States racks up figures at four times the German numbers.Within our borders, the news is even more dismal. Broken down by state, Maine had the best showing at 1.2 deaths per 100,000 live births. The District of Columbia had the most disconcerting figures: 34.9 per 100,000 live births. What, as a country, are we doing wrong?
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