ZME Science
No Result
View All Result
ZME Science
No Result
View All Result
ZME Science

Home → Science → News

Texas has highest maternal mortality rate in developed world, study finds

The US lags behind all the developed world, and the situation in Texas is unmatched.

Mihai AndreibyMihai Andrei
August 22, 2016
in Health, News
A A
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterSubmit to Reddit

A new study has found that Republican-led legislation has caused the maternal mortality rate to more than double in only two years. In fact, the maternal mortality rate is unmatched not only in the US, but anywhere else in the developed world.

We’re not used to talking about issues with maternal mortality in the developed world because it rarely rises, and even such rises aren’t dramatic. The United Nations Millennium Development Goal for a 75% reduction in maternal mortality from 1990 to 2015 is being accomplished in most of the world, with levels dropping significantly throughout Europe, Australia and some parts of Asia.

In the US, however, things aren’t looking so bright – the maternal mortality rate in the States increased from 18.8 in 2000 to 23.8 in 2014, a 26.6% increase. In Texas especially, results are puzzling. The rate has steadily grown from 2000 to 2010 and then quickly doubled in 2011-2012. The researchers called for further study to examine this unprecedented increase (in the absence of war, famine or other catastrophic events).

However, they did come up with a possible explanation. They noticed that in 2011, just as the spike began, Republican-led budget cuts decimated the ranks of Texas’s reproductive healthcare clinics. The Texas state legislature cut $73.6m from the state’s family planning budget of $111.5m, forcing more than 80 family planning clinics to shut down. These family planning clinics were providing services such as free birth control, cancer screenings and well-woman exams. Basically, half of the state was left without a family planning clinic – ironically, to make way for anti-abortion promotion: $1.6m from the state budget was allocated to an anti-abortion group that does not provide basic health services.

With their anti-abortion and anti-family-planning policiesTexan policies are killing mothers, and the situation is extremely worrying. Authors urge policymakers to promote new efforts and improve maternity care.

“In conclusion, the maternal mortality rate for 48 states and Washington, DC, from 2000 to 2014 was higher than previously reported, is increasing, and places the United States far behind other industrialized nations.

There is a need to redouble efforts to prevent maternal deaths and improve maternity care for the 4 million US women giving birth each year,” the authors said.

Journal Reference: Recent Increases in the U.S. Maternal Mortality Rate: Disentangling Trends From Measurement Issues. doi: 10.1097/AOG.0000000000001556

RelatedPosts

What is the Standard Model of Particle Physics?
Groundbreaking detection of gravitational waves reveals quiet hum of the universe
Could a combination of drug therapy and stem cells reverse type 2 diabetes?
Depression in children changes the brain for life

ShareTweetShare
Mihai Andrei

Mihai Andrei

Dr. Andrei Mihai is a geophysicist and founder of ZME Science. He has a Ph.D. in geophysics and archaeology and has completed courses from prestigious universities (with programs ranging from climate and astronomy to chemistry and geology). He is passionate about making research more accessible to everyone and communicating news and features to a broad audience.

Related Posts

Health

Tennis May Add Nearly 10 Years to Your Life and Most People Are Ignoring It

byTibi Puiu
1 day ago
Anthropology

Humans Have Been Reshaping Earth with Fire for at Least 50,000 Years

byTudor Tarita
1 day ago
Biology

The Strangest Microbe Ever Found Straddles The Line Between Life and Non-Life

byTudor Tarita
1 day ago
News

This $8750 Watch Was Designed for Space and Could Finally Replace Apollo-era Omega Watches

byTudor Tarita
1 day ago

Recent news

Tennis May Add Nearly 10 Years to Your Life and Most People Are Ignoring It

July 4, 2025

Humans Have Been Reshaping Earth with Fire for at Least 50,000 Years

July 4, 2025

The Strangest Microbe Ever Found Straddles The Line Between Life and Non-Life

July 4, 2025
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Editorial Policy
  • Privacy Policy and Terms of Use
  • How we review products
  • Contact

© 2007-2025 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Science News
  • Environment
  • Health
  • Space
  • Future
  • Features
    • Natural Sciences
    • Physics
      • Matter and Energy
      • Quantum Mechanics
      • Thermodynamics
    • Chemistry
      • Periodic Table
      • Applied Chemistry
      • Materials
      • Physical Chemistry
    • Biology
      • Anatomy
      • Biochemistry
      • Ecology
      • Genetics
      • Microbiology
      • Plants and Fungi
    • Geology and Paleontology
      • Planet Earth
      • Earth Dynamics
      • Rocks and Minerals
      • Volcanoes
      • Dinosaurs
      • Fossils
    • Animals
      • Mammals
      • Birds
      • Fish
      • Amphibians
      • Reptiles
      • Invertebrates
      • Pets
      • Conservation
      • Animal facts
    • Climate and Weather
      • Climate change
      • Weather and atmosphere
    • Health
      • Drugs
      • Diseases and Conditions
      • Human Body
      • Mind and Brain
      • Food and Nutrition
      • Wellness
    • History and Humanities
      • Anthropology
      • Archaeology
      • History
      • Economics
      • People
      • Sociology
    • Space & Astronomy
      • The Solar System
      • Sun
      • The Moon
      • Planets
      • Asteroids, meteors & comets
      • Astronomy
      • Astrophysics
      • Cosmology
      • Exoplanets & Alien Life
      • Spaceflight and Exploration
    • Technology
      • Computer Science & IT
      • Engineering
      • Inventions
      • Sustainability
      • Renewable Energy
      • Green Living
    • Culture
    • Resources
  • Videos
  • Reviews
  • About Us
    • About
    • The Team
    • Advertise
    • Contribute
    • Editorial policy
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact

© 2007-2025 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.