Rural women at higher risk of birth complications, death; toolkit can help rural areas plan maternal-health programs

Rural residents are at a higher risk of death during pregnancy or within a year after birth from pregnancy-related causes, according to newly released data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. reviewed by the Government Accountability Office. The data covers 2011 to 2016, the most recent data available at the time of the review.

 Overall, pregnancy-related deaths in the U.S. increased about 3% from 2000 to 2015, the GAO reports, and rural women face increased risks.

The pregnancy-related mortality rate in the largest metropolitan counties during that time was 14.6 per 100,00 live births. That's compared to 16.2 in medium and small metro counties, 19.8 in micropolitan counties, and 23.8 in noncore counties, the most rural. Black women were more likely to die or suffer health complications than women of other ethnicities, across population size. Much of this is due to lack of obstetric and prenatal services.

In related news, the Rural Health Information Hub has launched a Rural Maternal Health Toolkit meant to help rural communities learn how to plan, create and fund maternal-health programs. Read more here.