A new NIH-backed study reveals a 27% rise in maternal mortality in the United States over the past five years, increasing from 25.3 to 32.6 deaths per 100,000 live births between 2018 and 2022. The finding highlights urgent priorities for public health, even as funding for maternal and child health research faces cuts. Thailand can translate these lessons into stronger safeguards for mothers at home.
Maternal mortality, defined as deaths related to pregnancy and childbirth, serves as a barometer for a health system’s access and quality. The U.S. trend—driven in part by cardiovascular disease, cancer, and mental health disorders—was detected through expanded postpartum monitoring that tracks outcomes up to a year after birth. The results prompt policymakers worldwide to reassess public health infrastructure and clinical care for mothers.
Disparities in access to care appear central to the problem. Findings indicate that experience of care varies significantly by race, with disproportionately higher mortality among Indigenous, Alaska Native, and Black women. These disparities reflect broader inequities in health systems and underline the need for inclusive strategies that reach all communities.
Thailand has made meaningful progress in reducing maternal deaths through improved access to services and stronger health education. Yet the U.S. case underscores vulnerabilities in health systems that can be shaped by political and economic pressures, including funding shifts that affect data collection and surveillance. For example, public health data programs that track pregnancy outcomes have faced funding constraints in some settings.
Useful lessons can be drawn from states that have achieved lower maternal mortality rates. Training clinicians to recognize implicit bias and involving a broader mix of specialists in maternal care have shown positive results in reducing disparities and improving outcomes. These approaches are especially relevant for Thailand, where urban-rural differences in healthcare delivery remain a challenge.
Experts emphasize data-driven policy as a cornerstone of progress. Sound analysis from research institutions helps tailor investments in maternal health, workforce training, and community outreach. In Thailand, this means protecting durable funding for maternal health programs, expanding equitable access to services, and ensuring ongoing professional development for health workers in reproductive health.
The takeaway for Thailand is clear: sustain commitment to maternal health, invest in robust data and surveillance, and implement inclusive, evidence-based practices that reach all populations. By adopting global best practices and adapting them to local contexts, Thailand can continue improving maternal health outcomes and advance toward sustainable development goals that prioritize the safety of mothers and infants.