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COLUMBIA, S.C. National Maternal Health Awareness Day is Thursday, Jan. 23, and the South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) is emphasizing the need to understand and address the causes of maternal deaths, most of which are preventable.
In the US, South Carolina has the eighth-highest maternal death rate. South Carolina’s overall pregnancy mortality rates decreased by 16.3% in 2020. But Black women now die at four times the rate of white women, widening the racial inequity gap. During the year following birth, when new moms experience a range of mental and physical upheavals, many of these deaths take place. Danielle Wingo, Director of the DPH Bureau of Maternal and Child Health, said, “It’s encouraging to see a decline in pregnancy-related deaths in our state, as we did in 2020.” However, given South Carolina’s national ranking and the differences in maternal outcomes, we urgently need to improve our preventative efforts. The 2024 Legislative Brief of the South Carolina Maternal Morbidity and Mortality Review Committee (SCMMMRC) states that over 80% of pregnancy-related deaths may have been avoided. From 2018 to 2020, the following were the main reasons for pregnancy-related deaths:
Through a number of initiatives, DPH is raising awareness of pregnancy-related health issues and working to lower the state’s maternal mortality rate. In addition, the SCMMMRC convenes every three months to examine pregnancy-related mortality that have been detected and create practical preventative and intervention plans that are disseminated via webinars, presentations, and an annual legislative report. The state’s Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) survey is likewise overseen by DPH. Women who have just given birth receive about 200 PRAMS surveys each month. Important information about mother behaviors, beliefs, and social and societal factors that affect health before, during, and soon after pregnancy and delivery is gathered by the survey. In order to enhance the birth outcomes for mothers and children, this data is utilized to track trends in maternal health, evaluate needs throughout the state, support policy changes, and create program initiatives. Additionally, DPH is a partner in the South Carolina Birth Outcomes Initiative, which is led by the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS) and involves over 100 public, private, and non-profit stakeholders in an effort to improve outcomes for expectant mothers and infants in the state. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has granted SCDHHS a grant to enhance maternal health care for South Carolinians who are enrolled in the Healthy Connections Medicaid program. In order to implement the Transforming Maternal Health (TMaH) Model, which is intended to concentrate solely on enhancing maternal health care for those enrolled in Medicaid, CMS will provide $17 million over a ten-year period. DPH received a five-year State Maternal Health Innovation Grant from the federal Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) in 2023. Establishing a Maternal Health Task Force, expanding access to maternal care services, enhancing data collection and reporting, and promoting culturally relevant training materials and tools are some of the initiatives that the program focuses on in order to enhance maternal health outcomes. The following preventative actions are recommended by DPH for expectant mothers: Keep abreast of all prenatal and postpartum treatment. Learn the CDC’s Hear Her Urgent Maternal Warning Signs, abstain from alcohol, tobacco, and other illegal drug use, and get care right away if you notice any of the symptoms. Additionally, if appropriate, we advise sharing the Hear Her information with your partner as well as other family members and friends. The SC Tobacco Quitline (1-800-QUIT-NOW) offers free tobacco cessation assistance. Additionally, the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline can be reached by phone or text at 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262) for pregnant and postpartum women who are experiencing mental health issues including anxiety or depression.
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In the US, South Carolina has the eighth-highest maternal death rate. South Carolina’s overall pregnancy mortality rates decreased by 16.3% in 2020. But Black women now die at four times the rate of white women, widening the racial inequity gap. During the year following birth, when new moms experience a range of mental and physical upheavals, many of these deaths take place.
Danielle Wingo, Director of the DPH Bureau of Maternal and Child Health, said, “It’s encouraging to see a decline in pregnancy-related deaths in our state, as we did in 2020.” However, given South Carolina’s national ranking and the differences in maternal outcomes, we urgently need to improve our preventative efforts.
The 2024 Legislative Brief of the South Carolina Maternal Morbidity and Mortality Review Committee (SCMMMRC) states that over 80% of pregnancy-related deaths may have been avoided. From 2018 to 2020, the following were the main reasons for pregnancy-related deaths:
Through a number of initiatives, DPH is raising awareness of pregnancy-related health issues and working to lower the state’s maternal mortality rate. In addition, the SCMMMRC convenes every three months to examine pregnancy-related mortality that have been detected and create practical preventative and intervention plans that are disseminated via webinars, presentations, and an annual legislative report.
The state’s Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) survey is likewise overseen by DPH. Women who have just given birth receive about 200 PRAMS surveys each month. Important information about mother behaviors, beliefs, and social and societal factors that affect health before, during, and soon after pregnancy and delivery is gathered by the survey. In order to enhance the birth outcomes for mothers and children, this data is utilized to track trends in maternal health, evaluate needs throughout the state, support policy changes, and create program initiatives.
Additionally, DPH is a partner in the South Carolina Birth Outcomes Initiative, which is led by the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS) and involves over 100 public, private, and non-profit stakeholders in an effort to improve outcomes for expectant mothers and infants in the state. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has granted SCDHHS a grant to enhance maternal health care for South Carolinians who are enrolled in the Healthy Connections Medicaid program. In order to implement the Transforming Maternal Health (TMaH) Model, which is intended to concentrate solely on enhancing maternal health care for those enrolled in Medicaid, CMS will provide $17 million over a ten-year period.
DPH received a five-year State Maternal Health Innovation Grant from the federal Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) in 2023. Establishing a Maternal Health Task Force, expanding access to maternal care services, enhancing data collection and reporting, and promoting culturally relevant training materials and tools are some of the initiatives that the program focuses on in order to enhance maternal health outcomes.
The following preventative actions are recommended by DPH for expectant mothers: Keep abreast of all prenatal and postpartum treatment. Learn the CDC’s Hear Her Urgent Maternal Warning Signs, abstain from alcohol, tobacco, and other illegal drug use, and get care right away if you notice any of the symptoms. Additionally, if appropriate, we advise sharing the Hear Her information with your partner as well as other family members and friends. The SC Tobacco Quitline (1-800-QUIT-NOW) offers free tobacco cessation assistance.
Additionally, the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline can be reached by phone or text at 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262) for pregnant and postpartum women who are experiencing mental health issues including anxiety or depression.
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DPH Media Relations:
or 803-898-7769 |