Celebration of Scholars
P10 - Maternal Mortality in the U.S.: Investigating the Crisis
Name:
Zahra Rognstad
Major: Allied Health Sciences
Hometown: Prentice, WI
Faculty Sponsor: Laurie Jensen
Other Sponsors:
Type of research: Senior thesis
Abstract
Maternal mortality rates in the United States are rising, constituting a public health crisis. Addressing disparities in maternal health is critical to reducing preventable deaths. This study investigates factors contributing to maternal mortality disparities through secondary research and identifies evidence-based interventions to mitigate this crisis. A secondary data analysis was conducted using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the World Health Organization, and the National Institutes of Health research. Specifically, qualitative and quantitative data were analyzed to comprehensively understand maternal mortality’s social, racial, and medical determinants. The findings indicate that primary factors contributing to maternal health disparities include variations in healthcare systems, racial inequalities, and restricted access to medical providers. Countries with integrated midwifery care have lower maternal mortality rates. Conversely, the U.S. faces a shortage of obstetric providers, especially in rural areas, reducing access to care. Racial disparities put African American, Hispanic, and Native American women at higher risk due to conditions like cardiovascular disease, postpartum hemorrhage, and hypertension. Ultimately, maternal mortality remains a pressing issue in the United States, driven by a lack of obstetric providers and a restricted provider spectrum, especially in rural areas. Expanding midwifery care, increasing obstetric providers, and addressing racial health disparities can significantly reduce preventable deaths. Policies promoting equitable healthcare access are essential for improving maternal outcomes.
Submit date: March 17, 2025, 8:05 p.m.