The Maternal Health Crisis
The Story
Two studies are raising concerns over women’s maternal health — particularly that of Black mothers.
COVID-19…Yesterday, a gov report found that maternal death rates jumped during the pandemic, contributing to 25% of the more than 1,000 deaths in 2021. Black women were disproportionately impacted, with death rates more than twice as high as white women. The report’s authors say contributing factors may include pandemic-related stress and depression as well as reduced access to transportation and health care amid lockdowns. Black and Hispanic women were also more likely to be exposed at work during the pandemic and may face more severe illness from COVID-19.
IVF...Another study yesterday focused on babies born using fertility treatments like IVF. Based on more than 7 million births since 2016 the data was clear: through spontaneous conception, babies born to Black mothers were twice as likely to die within a month of birth compared to white moms. But researchers thought since IVF was expensive, women who conceived using those services (over 90,000 births from 2016-2017) might have more similar health outcomes. Turns out, the opposite was true: babies born to Black mothers conceived using IVF were four times as likely to die as white mothers who used IVF. Hispanic and Asian women also saw rates of neonatal deaths double when conceiving with treatments like IVF.
Why is all this happening?
It’s been true for years that the US has the worst rate of maternal deaths compared to other wealthy countries. Outcomes for BIPOC mothers and babies are especially alarming — and may intersect with systemic issues in healthcare. But yesterday’s research seems to show how persistent the issue is, even when trying to account for socioeconomic differences. Now, researchers and congressional leaders alike are advocating for more attention and solutions — fast.
theSkimm
Nearly a month ago, the CDC reported that most pregnancy-related deaths in the US are preventable. Now, these new reports are shining the spotlight on how Black moms and their babies face even higher risks when trying to grow their families.
And Also...This
What’s making moves…
Russia. Yesterday, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced he’s imposing martial law in four partially occupied regions of Ukraine. Reminder: Last month, Russia annexed the Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson regions following what the US calls “sham” referendums where residents reported being forced to vote at gunpoint. Under the law — which is set to go into effect today — travel bans and curfews may be introduced, and people could be relocated to parts of Russia. It comes as Russia continues to fend off Ukrainian forces trying to reclaim the regions since the beginning of last month’s counteroffensive. And as Russia says it’s preparing for “the battle for Kherson.”
Why it’s about us, it's about Truss, babe...
UK Prime Minister Liz Truss. Yesterday, the newly-minted PM continued to resist calls for her resignation, saying she's a “fighter and not a quitter.” The calls come weeks after she pulled a U-turn on a plan to cut UK income taxes by 5%. Reminder: Truss had made cutting taxes a priority on the campaign trail. But the decision came with resistance from some members of her Conservative party and had the economy on a downturn. Since then, Truss has canned her UK finance minister and her home secretary has called it quits. Now, with just over six weeks into her administration, some are wondering who will wilt first: Truss or a head of lettuce.
Why the Big Apple’s getting bigger…
The migrant crisis. Yesterday, tents providing shelter for immigrants opened up on NYC’s Randall’s Island, located northeast of Manhattan. The emergency relief center can hold up to 500 people. And is intended to house single men for about four days while they figure out next steps. But there’s no official time limit. Over 18,000 migrants have arrived in NYC in recent months — mostly from GOP-led border states. But flights have also landed in other parts of New York, including Orange County. The influx of thousands of migrants comes as NYC struggles to house its growing homeless population. The surge has filled up the shelters in NYC with more than 62,000 people compared to a low of 45,000 just a few months ago, forcing Mayor Eric Adams (D) to declare a state of emergency in the self-proclaimed sanctuary city.
While Taylor Swift is keeping us up past Midnights…
We’re coming back for you, Carly Rae Jepsen.
What doesn’t pair well with Olivia Wilde’s salad dressing…
Pumpkin spice price tags.
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