Research paper pt 2

Matthew Moore Werner Stavenhagen Research paper 7 April, 2019

Research Paper Rough draft Maternal mortality can be explained as the death of a woman related to her pregnancy or

childbirth. However, the period in which death is considered to be maternal differs depending on

different geopolitical boundaries. For instance, in some areas, it is deaths that occur in-between a

period of within forty-two (42) days of pregnancy and others within a year of pregnancy.

Maternal mortality is soaring to unacceptable levels in recent years. Looking at the world

statistics from the World Health Organization, over 830 women die every day in preventable

causes related to childbirth and pregnancy. In a comprehensive research done in 2015, over

300,000 women die the following pregnancy or in childbirth related issues (Centers for Disease

Control and Prevention, 2018). There are so many reasons that can be attributed to maternal

deaths, but most of the causes are usually preventable. Women from the rural areas are mostly

affected showing that the problem is related to the resource allocation in such settings.

Focusing on the United States of America, the issue of maternal mortality has led to various

organizations raising an eyebrow. Deaths related to pregnancy are still high despite so many

technological and medical advancements in the country. There are roughly over 50,000 new

mothers a year according to a study done by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

(CDC). It is estimated that known cases of maternal death in a year in the USA range between

700-900 deaths. In a study carried out in 2011-2014 in the US the CDC 7,208 deaths a year occur

at the end of pregnancy. Out of all the cases 2, 726 were found to be related to pregnancy and

childbirth (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2019). ​Racial disparities affect the

mortality rates with African American mothers having a higher likelihood of pregnancy-related

deaths, a ratio of 40 deaths for every 100,000 live births. White women, on the other hand, have

a ratio of 12.4 deaths per every 100,000 live births while women from all other races in the USA

have an average maternal mortality ratio of 17.8 deaths for every 100, 000 live births. ​ ​( tell

reader what this means after this based upon the huge disparity. Be clear of what the point of

these numbers are)

Complications develop during pregnancy and childbirth all which can be preventable given the

right health care. The above raises the question of; whether insurance plays a role in maternal

deaths in the United States. The answer is direct, as maternal mortality rates are highly depended

on access to proper healthcare which is directly related to healthcare insurance. Access to

healthcare is a social factor that the government has tried to deal with through introduction of

compulsory healthcare insurance to all citizens (ELLISON & MARTIN, 2017). ​(go into more

detail about how obama care affected the maternal mortality rate for african american women

specifically)​ However, not all ​citizens​ get access to such insurance covers due to financial

constraints. Most women in the US visit their physicians, during their postpartum period, after a

long period after birth. The above results in unchecked health complications related to childbirth

and pregnancy. Access prenatal care is difficult in the US especially to women of color. It is

attributed to low financial capabilities that affect such women.

I​nsurance companies in the United States do not categorize pregnancy as pre-existing conditions

thus resulting in most women being unable to access private health insurance. Medicaid is also

inaccessible to some women especially those with poor or unstable financial backgrounds.

(contradicting myself be specific with which is affecting healthcare negatively due to denying

from access of healthcare due to pre existing conditions).​ Bureaucratic issues and other delays in

finalizing the coverage curtail women from Medicaid insurance (when approved). ​Medicaid fees

and other insurance fees also act as burdens to women making it harder to get prenatal care.

Women that do not get prenatal care are 3-4 times more likely to succumb to maternal related

deaths than those that have access to such health care. Income levels affect the accessibility to

insurance and thus healthcare. Most women give birth in hospitals and a normal may cost

between $8,500 - & 12,000 for normal delivery and can go up to &20,100 for cesarean

deliveries. Most women cannot afford such high costs and the fact that private insurance is

inaccessible to most women during pregnancy, makes maternal mortality rates spike to high

levels (Agrawal, 2015). Through the statistical data and demographic data on deaths related to

pregnancy and childbirth, it is clear that the lack of insurance is a major cause of maternal

mortality deaths in the United States.