More Women Dying In Childbirth In New York Than 10 Years Ago

Worst affected are African-American women in poorer areas

The rate of women dying during childbirth in New York has increased by 30 per cent over a 10-year period. A report, conducted by The Center for Research and Policy in the Public Interest and published by the New York Women's Foundation, also showed the worst affected were African-American women from poorer areas such as the Bronx and Queens.

Researchers found black women face a maternal mortality rate of 79 deaths per 100,000 live births, up from 40 per 100,000 live births a decade ago, compared to 10 per 100,000 live births for white women.

Author of the report, C. Nicole Mason, said the spike in deaths from childbirth among African-American women is based on three factors: poor prenatal and postpartum care, higher rates of c-sections and most significantly, other health factors like obesity.

She added 40 per cent of women who die from 'maternal related complications' during pregnancy or soon after giving birth are overweight.

'We really need to think about how women in poor communities are treated from the time they become pregnant until they deliver, and whether they're getting the health care they deserve,' she said.

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