Women's Health Wednesday: Maternal Mortality

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) - In the United States, Black women are nearly three times more likely to die during pregnancy or delivery, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Maternal mortality rates are also significantly higher for older women. According to the latest CDC data, the rate for women aged 40 and over was 6.8 times higher than the rate for women under age 25.

For many, like Timarra O'Neal, it isn't just a statistic, it's a reality she has to live everyday after losing her sister on June 14. The mother was almost full-term but had to have an emergency C-section. During that procedure, Timarra says her sister suffered from a seizure. 

The discrepancy affects women of all income and education levels. Doctors with Johns Hopkins cite a study from the National Bureau of Economic Research, that shows the wealthiest Black woman in California is at a higher risk of maternal mortality than the least wealthy white woman. 

Two separate reports were published in March by the New York State Department of Health. They revealed that Black, non-Hispanic women had a pregnancy-related mortality ratio five times higher than White, non-Hispanic women, and the pregnancy-related mortality ratio for cesarean delivery was 3.1 times that of vaginal delivery.

The state also determined that of the pregnancy-related deaths they studied, 73.6% of them had a chance of being prevented. The reports recommend additional support before and after pregnancy to help reduce these inequities.