Current:Home > StocksTakeaways from AP’s report on what the US can learn from other nations about maternal deaths -VisionFunds
Takeaways from AP’s report on what the US can learn from other nations about maternal deaths
TradeEdge View
Date:2025-04-09 16:36:52
How can the U.S. solve its growing maternal mortality crisis? Health experts say one way is to look to other countries.
The U.S. has one of the highest maternal death rates of any wealthy nation — hovering around 20 per 100,000 live births overall and 50 for Black moms, according to the World Health Organization and U.S. health officials. Several European countries have rates in the single digits.
Research shows the vast majority of pregnancy-related deaths are preventable. Public health experts blame the United States’ high rates on a range of problems, such as inequities in getting needed health care, systemic racism, at times poor-quality medical care and a rise in chronic conditions among women of childbearing age.
But experts believe solutions abroad can be translated to the U.S. They say that’s already happening in some places.
The Associated Press examined what the U.S. can learn from Europe about tackling maternal mortality. Here are key takeaways.
Many European countries use proven methods. And Norway stands out
Maternal mortality — which refers to the death of a woman from pregnancy or childbirth complications during or within 42 days of a pregnancy — generally has been rising in the U.S.
There are proven ways to prevent maternal deaths and injuries, such as ensuring quality medical care at delivery; getting to know patients; addressing issues like addiction or poor nutrition; and providing care and support after the baby is born.
One of the most important things is making sure everyone can get regular prenatal checkups, which requires having enough health care providers.
Consider Norway, which has the lowest maternal mortality rate in the world: zero. Through its universal health care system, people get free prenatal appointments at health centers near their homes.
For every 1,000 live births, Norway has 13 OB-GYNs and 54 midwives, the Commonwealth Fund found, compared with 12 OB-GYNs and four midwives in the U.S.
Regular care means problems are spotted and treated early, said Roosa Sofia Tikkanen, a doctoral candidate at the Center for Global Health Inequalities Research in Norway.
“Maternal mortality is an entirely preventable event providing you have access to basic health care,” Tikkanen said. “Not high-tech health care but basic health care.”
What happens during and after delivery also makes a difference. The national rate for cesarean sections, which are more likely than vaginal births to lead to complications, is about 16% in Norway compared to 32% in the U.S. The Scandinavian country also mandates generous paid leave, which research links to better postpartum health.
A successful U.S. program is based on European models
Commonsense Childbirth, which has locations in Orlando and Winter Garden, Florida, offers a small-scale model of European care. It has clinics, a birthing center and training for health professionals.
The midwives who run the program welcome vulnerable patients that other practices turn away, such as those who are uninsured or haven’t had prenatal care until late in pregnancy.
Founded by British immigrant Jennie Joseph about 26 years ago, it has never had a maternal death.
“We have these four tenets that go with my model: access, connection, knowledge and empowerment,” she said. Some patients “cry because they’ve never had that kind of care or respect.”
Joseph’s organization relies heavily on philanthropy, which makes up about half its $3.5 million budget. This allows the clinics to accept patients who can pay little or nothing.
For women with no major health problems, research shows midwifery is cheaper globally than care led by OB-GYNs and leads to fewer medical procedures like C-sections, said Marian Knight, a professor of maternal and child population health at the University of Oxford in England.
Some of Commonsense Childbirth’s patients with complications are referred to specialists. Most choose to give birth at a local hospital, where Joseph has forged strong ties. They then return to a midwife for postpartum care.
“It’s Jennie’s National Health Service,” Joseph said with a sly smile.
___
The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
veryGood! (6)
Related
- Appeals court scraps Nasdaq boardroom diversity rules in latest DEI setback
- Democrats promise ‘orderly process’ to replace Biden, where Harris is favored but questions remain
- Obama says Democrats in uncharted waters after Biden withdraws
- US census takers to conduct test runs in the South and West 4 years before 2030 count
- The Super Bowl could end in a 'three
- Donald Trump to appear on golfer Bryson DeChambeau's Break 50 show for 'special episode'
- Braves' injuries mount: Ozzie Albies breaks wrist, Max Fried on IL with forearm issue
- Secret Service director says Trump assassination attempt was biggest agency ‘failure’ in decades
- Why Sean "Diddy" Combs Is Being Given a Laptop in Jail Amid Witness Intimidation Fears
- Air travel delays continue, though most airlines have recovered from global tech outage
Ranking
- Selena Gomez engaged to Benny Blanco after 1 year together: 'Forever begins now'
- The Daily Money: Americans are ditching their cars
- On a summer Sunday, Biden withdrew with a text statement. News outlets struggled for visuals
- Largest trial court in the US closes after ransomware attack, California officials say
- Selena Gomez's "Weird Uncles" Steve Martin and Martin Short React to Her Engagement
- Secret Service admits some security modifications for Trump were not provided ahead of assassination attempt
- LeBron James selected as Team USA male flagbearer for Paris Olympics opening ceremony
- Bernice Johnson Reagon, whose powerful voice helped propel the Civil Rights Movement, has died
Recommendation
Meta donates $1 million to Trump’s inauguration fund
LSU cornerback Javien Toviano arrested, faces video voyeurism charges
Southern California wildfire destroys and damages homes during scorching heat wave
Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, The End of Time
A Mississippi company is sentenced for mislabeling cheap seafood as premium local fish
Defamation suit against Fox News by head of dismantled disinformation board tossed by federal judge
Why Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco Romance’s Is Like a Love Song
Nashville-area GOP House race and Senate primaries top Tennessee’s primary ballot