No, the Maternal Mortality Rate Is Not Rising
January 18, 2024
The U.S. maternal mortality rate is “terrible,” says Vox, and it’s at a “crisis level.” The New York Times says “we can stop” rising maternal mortality, which, they also say, is caused by (presumably also rising) racism. The Washington Post says the U.S. maternal mortality rate is six times the European average. The Wall Street Journal blames very high U.S. maternal mortality rate on eclampsia, and says it’s at the highest level since 1965. You get the picture: The situation with maternal mortality in America is very bad, no good, extremely concerning, a crisis.
All of these articles are completely wrong – utterly and stupendously wrong. They have failed at basic mathematics, which creates unneeded fear among expectant mothers. Maternal mortality in America is not high, it is not rising, and the risk factors for it are not mysterious and many of them can be controlled.
