Maternal Mortality in Michigan
Michigan faces a significant maternal mortality crisis, reporting 19.1 maternal deaths per 1,000 births in 2022, with nearly three-quarters of these deaths considered preventable. Deaths are categorized as pregnancy-related (e.g., infection or sepsis) or pregnancy-associated (e.g., substance use disorder). The core challenges are widespread provider shortages and a lack of quality, culturally competent care. Racial disparities are severe, as Black women were 2.2 times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than non-Hispanic white women (2016–2020). Geographic barriers also exist, with 15 counties designated as maternity care deserts.
Potential solutions include improving quality through Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) frameworks and fostering collaboration among healthcare and social service systems. Strategies involve expanding and diversifying the maternal workforce, including midwives and doulas, and utilizing telehealth to address rural disparities. Evidence-based initiatives, such as Group Prenatal Care (GPC) models like CenteringPregnancy, aim to improve outcomes. Additionally, policy efforts include reintroducing the Michigan Momnibus Package and expanding Medicaid coverage to women up to 12 months postpartum.