It looks like age may not be as big of a factor in maternal mortality as previously thought, according to a new study from Northwestern Medicine.
The study, published on March 18, found that maternal mortality from 2014 and 2021 increased among every age group. Researchers said the greatest relative increase in maternal mortality was seen among those between the ages of 25 – 29 and 30 – 34.
Those behind the study said their findings disproved the widely believed hypothesis that maternal mortality stems from more people having children later in life.
Northwestern researcher Dr. Sadiya Khan said the study reveals that we need a better understanding of the causes of deaths and how to prevent them — as well as more effective national infrastructure and surveillance programs to review and address the root causes of the maternal health crisis.
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Some of Khan’s prior research has found that cardiovascular diseases, such as hypertensive disorders, heart failure and stroke, have been a “major contributor to poor maternal health outcomes.”
Read the full study here.
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