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Texas awarded $3M to reduce number of maternal deaths

Posted at 11:45 AM, Sep 12, 2019
and last updated 2019-09-12 15:15:41-04

AUSTIN, TX — Texas has been awarded a $3 million grant by the CDC for the purpose of reviewing and reducing the number maternal deaths in the state.

According to AP News, a Harvard Medical School Obstetrician reports that an American mom today is 50 percent more likely to die in childbirth than her own mother was.

Up to $3 million will be provided over five years to support the Texas Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Review Committee. The committee will review recent maternal deaths and share its findings with researchers through a national data system, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services.

One committee member, Dr. Manda Hall, says the committee will be able to review cases much closer to real time and get a better understanding of what is affecting women's health right now.

"And the ability to securely store and more quickly analyze data about maternal deaths will allow us to create more effective initiates to reduce death," said Dr. Hall.

The Texas Legislature also voted to allocate $7 million in the state's budget to address the issue. The funds set aside by the legislature will allow DSHS to expand its partnerships with hospitals and continue the work of reducing maternal deaths and complications that arise from preventable causes.

According to a report by the CDC, three in five pregnancy-related deaths are preventable.

Other initiatives planned by the state include developing a new tool to assess women's risks for pregnancy complications and also creating a campaign to educate health care professionals and communities about risks and risk factors.