Documenting Maternal Deaths: Implications for National Statistics and Research.

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The rate of women in the United States dying of pregnancy-related causes has significantly increased in less than two decades, making maternal mortality a significant public health issue. There are prominent racial disparities within these rising rates; non-Hispanic Black women are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women (The MITRE Corporation, 2019). Flaws in data collection lead to inaccurate data analyses, poor interpretation of community needs, and ultimately contribute to pregnant women not being given the care and treatment required to prevent maternal death.