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Research shows that 84% of the deaths among mothers are preventable with adequate care. This is simply an unacceptable rate and the Department of Health and Senior Services in the state of Missouri announced its intention to invest $4.3M to reducing maternal mortality within the state. Governor Mike Parson said the spending is a response to Missouri’s 2023 Pregnancy Associated Mortality Review, which found that an average of 61 women in the state die in pregnancy or within one year of giving birth. This number ranks Missouri among the states with the most such deaths, with only six states with higher death rates.
This is an important initiative and it is good to see they are trying to make a difference for women’s wellness because throughout our nation our pregnancy-related mortality and morbidity is at a crisis level. The truth of the issue for the state of Missouri is that we’ve had many community hospitals that did provide maternal services shut down through COVID, and we have an increasing access issue. We don’t have enough mental health services, so there’s a lot of obstacles to getting care. We just need to break through those obstacles.
It is my desire that this completely self-funded podcast, Why Am I Just Finding This Out? will continue to be a source of truth and inspiration for women and healthcare advocates in our state and beyond. This is not just an issue for Missouri, but a critical time for women throughout our country. Health disparities in this country are at an unconscionably high level.
We can do better and together we will. Let’s leave a legacy of better.
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