Maternal Mortality: A Case Study in Washington, D.C.

During pregnancy, death is the last thing mothers want to have on their minds. However, the rising rate of maternal deaths in the United States means that the issue cannot be ignored. Although there is no uniform solution to ending maternal mortality, there are opportunities to lower the tragic statistic.

This paper will explore the complexities preventing an understanding of and expedient solution to maternal mortality in the United States. Although maternal mortality rates vary by state and region, the nation’s capital city, Washington, D.C., is an excellent case study. One thing implied by this case study is that lack of funding for or access to abortion does not significantly decrease maternal mortality. Although some causes of maternal mortality may yet be unknown, the best place to begin solving the problem is by preventing deaths when causes are known.

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