Research shows that the pregnancy -related number of deaths have doubled in Texas between 2010 and 2014, but this is not the only state that should be worried about this problem. Data proves that the increase in maternal mortality is happening all over the U.S.
According to the research no other state has encountered such a sharp rise. Between 2000 and 2010, Texas had a ‘modest increase’ in maternal mortality, from 17.7 to 18.6 per 100,000 live births. This rate reached 33 deaths per 100,000 live births the next year.
However, Texas is not alone as the U.S., as a whole, has experienced a rise in maternal deaths from 1993 to 2013. In 2000, The U.S. had an average pregnancy -related death rate of 18.8 percent which by 2014 reached 23.8 percent.
Texas eliminated all Planned Parenthood clinics – whether or not they provided abortion services – from the state program that provides poor women with preventive health care. Previously, such clinics offered cancer screenings and contraception to more than 130,000 women.
This new study comes as public health advocates and raises awareness about Texas’s ability to prepare for the well-known Zika virus which is transmitted through the mosquito bite and the state’s power to fight the severe birth defects that are linked to the disease.
Texas is supposed to be just one of the Southern states that health officials believe is at risk of a local outbreak.
More studies are needed to determine the reasons of doubling the number of pregnancy-related deaths in Texas. However, reducing the number of women’s health clinics within its borders is believed to be that the main reason for the increase of pregnancy-related deaths.
Nevertheless, half of the states are believed to have a lack of obstetrics and gynecology care making it even more difficult for women to receive contraception or to be informed regarding their baby’s health during pregnancy.
According to World Health Organization (WHO), the average maternal death rate in developed countries is 12 for every 100,000 live births which means that Texas has highly surpassed that average.
The 4 million US women giving birth each year desperately need access to affordable, good quality health care in order to prevent maternal deaths.
What do you think the authorities should do to decrease the number of maternal deaths? Please give us your opinion in the comment section below.
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