Population Scientists Discuss Maternal Mortality on Capitol Hill

On July 22, the Population Association of America (PAA), in cooperation with the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, American Statistical Association (ASA), Association of Population Centers, March of Dimes, Population Reference Bureau, and Society for Research in Child Development (SRCD), sponsored its annual in-person briefing on Capitol Hill, “Maternal Mortality in America: Understanding the Challenges and Crafting Population Based Solutions.” PAA, ASA, and SRCD are COSSA governing member organizations.

The briefing featured a panel of experts who addressed not only nuances in data regarding U.S. maternal mortality trends, but also addressed potential policy recommendations. The speakers’ presentations also underscored the integral role that Federal scientific and statistical agencies, including the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) and National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, play in supporting the population sciences. Individuals representing congressional offices, Federal agencies, and outside organizations were in attendance. 

The event was moderated by Dr. Mark Mather, Population Reference Bureau. The speakers, Dr. Robert Anderson, NCHS; Dr. Amanda Stevenson, University of Colorado-Boulder; and, Dr. Alecia McGregor, Harvard University, delivered a range of important messages, including:

• How the pregnancy check box that the NCHS adopted has changed our understanding of U.S. maternal mortality rates.
• How U.S. maternal mortality rates vary across different subpopulations, and how the U.S. rates compare to other countries.
• The impact that access to reproductive health services and race and environment have on maternal mortality outcomes.

During a robust Q&A segment, the panel received a variety of questions, including:

• How reliable are maternal mortality statistics from other countries?
• Can you predict how changes in laws governing access to reproductive health services will affect future U.S. maternal morality trends?
• Can you identify one social determinant of health most responsible for increased U.S. maternal mortality figures?

A recording of the briefing is available here.