"Revisiting the Causes of U.S. Maternal Mortality: New Findings Challenge Age-old Theories"
A study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine revealed a significant increase in the U.S. maternal mortality rate (MMR) from 2014 to 2021, with a rapid spike after 2019. Changes in age distribution accounted for a portion of the increase, with significant rises in age-specific MMR components for women aged 25 to 34. The authors emphasized the preventable nature of maternal deaths and called for better national infrastructure and surveillance programs to address the root causes of the maternal health crisis.