B171383
System control number
7073
Author
Tomkinson, J. (et.al.)
Title
Report on confidential enquiries into maternal deaths in England and Wales 1976-1978, [Series] Reports on health and social subjects, No.26
Publication, distribution, etc.
London: HMSO, 1982
Physical description
180, 25 cm
Biographical or historical data
This report, which examined all maternal deaths in England and Wales between 1976 and 1978, found that the mortality rate among women born in the 'New Commonwealth' (recently decolonised areas of the former British Empire) was three times higher than that of women from other regions. The mortality rate among 'New Commonwealth' women due to indirect causes associated with pregnancy was also twice as high. This reflects a long-term trend of higher maternal mortality rates in people from ethnic minorities or economically disadvantaged groups which continues to this day.
According to a 2024 report from MBRRACE-UK, the number of deaths among pregnant women in the UK has reached the highest level in 20 years. From 2017 to 2019, there were 8.79 deaths per 100,000 pregnancies, while from 2020 to 2022, there were 13.41 deaths per 100,000 pregnant women, or 11.54 when excluding deaths resulting from Covid-19. The primary cause of such high mortality rates was thrombosis and thromboembolism, when a blood clot or foreign object gets stuck in a vein or artery and obstructs the flow of blood, which can occur during pregnancy or within 6 weeks after pregnancy. The second leading cause was Covid-19, accounting for 14% of maternal deaths, followed by mental health issues such as depression leading to suicide.
It's worth noting that the mortality rate among pregnant women from ethnic minorities or socioeconomically disadvantaged groups is much higher than that of white pregnant women. According to research by the National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit (NPEU) at the University of Oxford, the mortality rate among Black women is three times that of white women, while the mortality rate among Asian women is twice that of white women. In addition to racial disparities, the study also found socioeconomic inequalities, with the mortality rate among women living in the poorest 20% of areas in the UK being more than twice that of those living in the most deprived areas.
Dr. Nicola Vousden, Co-Chair of the Women's Health Interest Group at the Faculty of Public Health, said that "underlying structures” impact health before, during, and after pregnancy, including education, housing, and environment. Urgent action is needed in the UK to address the ongoing racial and socioeconomic inequalities, improve the quality of maternal healthcare, and ensure universal access to such care. In response to the 2024 report, a government spokesperson stated: “We’re committed to ensuring all women receive safe and compassionate care from maternity services, regardless of their ethnicity, location or economic status.” In 2023, the NHS established maternity medical networks and expert centres to better identify and manage potentially life-threatening medical conditions during pregnancy.
Yang Shen, Hidden Histories MA Project Participant
According to a 2024 report from MBRRACE-UK, the number of deaths among pregnant women in the UK has reached the highest level in 20 years. From 2017 to 2019, there were 8.79 deaths per 100,000 pregnancies, while from 2020 to 2022, there were 13.41 deaths per 100,000 pregnant women, or 11.54 when excluding deaths resulting from Covid-19. The primary cause of such high mortality rates was thrombosis and thromboembolism, when a blood clot or foreign object gets stuck in a vein or artery and obstructs the flow of blood, which can occur during pregnancy or within 6 weeks after pregnancy. The second leading cause was Covid-19, accounting for 14% of maternal deaths, followed by mental health issues such as depression leading to suicide.
It's worth noting that the mortality rate among pregnant women from ethnic minorities or socioeconomically disadvantaged groups is much higher than that of white pregnant women. According to research by the National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit (NPEU) at the University of Oxford, the mortality rate among Black women is three times that of white women, while the mortality rate among Asian women is twice that of white women. In addition to racial disparities, the study also found socioeconomic inequalities, with the mortality rate among women living in the poorest 20% of areas in the UK being more than twice that of those living in the most deprived areas.
Dr. Nicola Vousden, Co-Chair of the Women's Health Interest Group at the Faculty of Public Health, said that "underlying structures” impact health before, during, and after pregnancy, including education, housing, and environment. Urgent action is needed in the UK to address the ongoing racial and socioeconomic inequalities, improve the quality of maternal healthcare, and ensure universal access to such care. In response to the 2024 report, a government spokesperson stated: “We’re committed to ensuring all women receive safe and compassionate care from maternity services, regardless of their ethnicity, location or economic status.” In 2023, the NHS established maternity medical networks and expert centres to better identify and manage potentially life-threatening medical conditions during pregnancy.
Yang Shen, Hidden Histories MA Project Participant
Subject
OBSTETRICS (Categories)
Subject
ABORTION (Categories)
B171383
UKLeTMM
20240424172636.0