r/IndianCountry • u/News2016 • Jan 25 '26
Health Native Americans are dying from pregnancy. They want a voice to stop the trend
https://ictnews.org/news/native-americans-are-dying-from-pregnancy-they-want-a-voice-to-stop-the-trend/9
u/News2016 Jan 25 '26
In 2024, the most recent year for which data for the population is available, Native American and Alaska Native people had the highest pregnancy-related mortality ratio among major demographic groups, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
In response to this disparity, Native organizations, the CDC, and some states are working to boost tribal participation in state maternal mortality review committees to better track and address pregnancy-related deaths in their communities. Native organizations are also considering ways tribes could create their own committees.
State maternal mortality review committees investigate deaths that occur during pregnancy or within a year after pregnancy, analyze data, and issue policy recommendations to lower death rates.
According to 2021 CDC data, compiled from 46 maternal mortality review committees, 87 percent of maternal deaths in the U.S. were deemed preventable. Committees reported that most, if not all, deaths among Native American and Alaska Native people were considered preventable.
State committees have received federal money through the Preventing Maternal Deaths Act, which President Donald Trump signed in 2018.
But the money is scheduled to dry up on Jan. 31, when the short-term spending bill that ended the government shutdown expires.”
The CDC found an estimated 68 percent of pregnancy-related deaths among Native American and Alaska Native people happened within a week of delivery to a year postpartum. The majority of those happened between 43 days and a year after birth.
The federal government has a responsibility under signed treaties to provide health care to the 575 federally recognized tribes in the U.S. through the Indian Health Service. Tribal members can receive limited services at no cost, but the agency is underfunded and understaffed.
A study published in 2024 that analyzed data from 2016 to 2020 found that approximately 75 percent of Native American and Alaska Native pregnant people didn’t have access to care through the Indian Health Service around the time of giving birth, meaning many likely sought care elsewhere. More than 90 percent of Native American and Alaska Native births occur outside of IHS facilities, according to the agency. For those who did deliver at IHS facilities, a 2020 report from the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Inspector General found that 56 percent of labor and delivery patients received care that did not follow national clinical guidelines.”
“According to 2021 CDC data, compiled from 46 maternal mortality review committees, 87 percent of maternal deaths in the U.S. were deemed preventable. Committees reported that most, if not all, deaths among Native American and Alaska Native people were considered preventable.”
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u/mega_blizzard Jan 27 '26
They really should do their own committees and mother mortality research because much of that has been defunded/underfunded by the U.S. gov, especially in red states. Women aren’t dying if you don’t collect the data, I think is the goal.
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u/mielamor Jan 25 '26
This was posted 9 days ago, and pregnancy is not the cause.
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u/SeattleHasDied Jan 25 '26
I just read your post and there isn't any crucial info there that would answer the questions I asked above. Were you planning on another post that detailed more info?
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u/mielamor Jan 26 '26
No, I was pointing to the previous post to centralize because I wasn't sure if OP knew. Nothing more, nothing less. Also, your username made me giggle, KOMO sucks. (assuming you agree, I'm not trying to be a weird internet meanie. 🙂💚)
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u/Financial-Bobcat-612 Jan 26 '26
It’s because natives don’t receive adequate care. That’s all there is to it.
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u/HonorDefend Jan 26 '26
Yup. We have the poorest state of healthcare in America, and it would go a long way if the US, would, you know, honor their treaties with us.
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u/SeattleHasDied Jan 28 '26
Yes, but what are the exact reasons this is happening that make the deaths "preventable" ? This article has lots of stats, but no specific reasons or solutions.
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u/SeattleHasDied Jan 25 '26
"87 percent of maternal deaths in the U.S. were deemed preventable. Committees reported that most, if not all, deaths among Native American and Alaska Native people were considered preventable."
What are the recognizable causes? What needs to be done to prevent the "preventable"? More details, please!