Alabama launches campaign to combat high maternal mortality rate in state

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Working with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Alabama Department of Public Health is launching a campaign to combat pregnancy-related deaths in the state, rates of which remain among the highest in the country.

“Tragically, deaths of pregnant and postpartum women continue to occur each year in Alabama, many of which are preventable,” said Dr. Scott Harris, state health commissioner, told the Alabama Daily News this week.

“The Alabama Department of Public Health is actively promoting the campaign to promote open communication between women and their health care providers and ensure important warning signs are not missed.”

Called Listen to their campaignThe effort aims to raise awareness of pregnancy-related complications and their warning signs and to provide resources for women who experience these complications.

“Right now the focus is getting the word out about the campaign,” ADPH spokesperson Lindsey Harris told ADN. “Perhaps (soon we will) take advantage of the opportunity to present the resources in some way in handheld form.”

Per latest data When it comes to maternal mortality in Alabama, there were 93 pregnancy-related and pregnancy-associated deaths between 2018 and 2019, giving the state a maternal mortality rate for that period of 29.9 maternal deaths per 100,000 births, well above that National tariff of 18.2 per 100,000.

As with most health metrics in the state, Alabama has a significant racial disparity in maternal mortality. Between 2017 and 2018, the maternal mortality rate for black mothers was 49.6 per 100,000, well more than double the maternal mortality rate for white mothers, which was about 20 per 100,000.

The ADPH will promote the campaign on social media, including promotional material created by the CDC, directing Alabamians to resources that provide detailed warning signs for Alabamian mothers experiencing certain symptoms during or after pregnancy. The most common symptoms among mothers that require immediate medical attention include swelling of the hands or face and overwhelming fatigue, according to ADPH and more.

Many of the state’s maternal deaths are also preventable, the ADPH notes. According to the ADPH report on 2018-2019 maternal mortality data, of the 93 reported deaths, 24 were directly related to pregnancy, and of those 24, 62.5% were considered preventable.

During this period, most reported deaths occurred after birth, with infections, cardiovascular problems and bleeding being the most common causes of death. The majority of maternal deaths also occurred among Medicaid recipients, suggesting that poverty is a highly correlated factor in maternal mortality.

Early intervention, Harris said, is key to improving the state’s maternal mortality rate, and he is confident the Hear Her campaign can further promote that.

“Early intervention in pregnant and postpartum women can help prevent major cardiovascular events, address mental health issues and ultimately protect women’s health and well-being,” Harris said.

Longer-term solutions ADPH is proposing to improve the state’s maternal mortality rate include waiving the waiting period for Medicaid recipients who request a bilateral tubal ligation, which requires one in Alabama 30 day waiting period. Another suggestion from the ADPH is to establish standardized protocols for assessing clinical signs of pregnancy among primary care and emergency department workers.