Citation

Mertz KJ, Parker AL, Halpin GJ. Am. J. Public Health 1992; 82(8): 1085-1088.

Affiliation

Division of Family Health Services, New Jersey State Department of Health, Trenton 08625.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1992, American Public Health Association)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

1343080

PMCID

PMC1695758

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: National data are thought to underestimate pregnancy-related mortality in the United States. A multisource surveillance system for pregnancy-associated deaths in New Jersey offers an opportunity to identify the magnitude of and the trends in pregnancy-related mortality at the state level. METHODS: Data from all reported pregnancy-related deaths in the state from 1975 to 1989 were studied, and pregnancy mortality ratios were calculated. RESULTS: The New Jersey pregnancy mortality ratio decreased from the late 1970s to the early 1980s but began to rise in the late 1980s. The pregnancy mortality ratio for non-Whites was 3.6 times that for Whites for the 15-year period. The causes of pregnancy-related deaths changed over the 15-year period, with direct obstetrical causes playing a decreasing role. AIDS has become the major cause of pregnancy-related mortality in New Jersey. Finally, approximately 44% of the pregnancy-related deaths were considered to be preventable by the physician or patient or both. CONCLUSIONS: New efforts must be made to combat the recent rise in pregnancy-related deaths, with special attention to preventing deaths among non-White women.

Language: en