CDC report identifies mental health as leading cause of maternal deaths among Native women
Federal review found nearly all pregnancy-related deaths among Native women were preventable
Mental health conditions were the leading cause of pregnancy-related deaths among American Indian and Alaska Native women in 2022, accounting for 35.5% of cases, according to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report highlighted by The Imprint. The federal review found nearly 95% of pregnancy-related deaths were preventable. Researchers also identified infection, cardiovascular conditions and hemorrhage as underlying causes. Discrimination contributed to more than 20% of cases, including delayed diagnoses and dismissed symptoms.
Experts told The Imprint that expanding culturally grounded maternal care and mental health support could improve outcomes for Native families. Andra Wilkinson, a senior research scientist at Child Trends, said prenatal and postpartum depression screening has improved but culturally responsive care remains limited. Spero Manson, director of the Centers for American Indian and Alaska Native Health, said untreated mental health conditions can affect a mother's ability to access preventive care and treatment.
- 1.The Imprint, .
We provide the independent reporting that non-Native, extractive outlets often overlook. We give our communities the context and the facts they need to make informed decisions.
