Michigan has experienced a rise in maternal deaths, as highlighted in an in-depth report by Detroit News, produced through the New York and Michigan Solutions Journalism Collaborative. Annually, between 80 and 90 maternal deaths are recorded, with data from 2011 to 2020 revealing an upward trend, including a notable 33.6% increase from 2019 to 2020.
Of particular concern is the disproportionate impact on women of color. Black mothers are more than 75% more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than White mothers. From 2016 to 2020, nearly three-quarters of pregnancy-related deaths in the state were deemed preventable.
Efforts to mitigate this alarming trend are underway in Michigan. Michigan’s maternal mortality rate of 19.4 deaths per 100,000 births from 2018 to 2021, while lower than some states, leaves significant room for improvement, according to the Detroit News report.
Host Stephen Henderson speaks with Dawn Shanafelt, Director of the Division of Maternal & Infant Health in the Michigan Department of Health & Human Services. They talk about the root causes of maternal deaths, the disparities among women of color, and actionable steps toward safeguarding maternal health across Michigan.
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Watch American Black Journal on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 9:30 a.m. on Detroit PBS, WTVS-Channel 56.
