Tell Texas health officials that we need to have maternal mortality data!

Urge Texas health officials to release data on maternal mortality

Texas is home to powerhouse women! Countless women, mothers, activists, lawmakers, musicians, homemakers, scientists, and artists have, without a doubt, played a pivotal role in advocating for women’s rights and shaping Texas into what it is today.

However, our state still has a long way to go when it comes to protecting reproductive rights and providing adequate reproductive health care. Texas is one of the most dangerous places in the U.S. for women, especially Black women, to give birth, in a nation whose maternal death rate is many times higher than all other industrialized countries.

Despite these abysmal statistics, the Lone Star state’s latest data on maternal deaths is being delayed this year.

The state’s maternal mortality committee was recently directed to delay the maternal mortality report by Dr. John Hellerstedt, commissioner of the Texas Department of State Health Services. The delay, while downright dangerous for the birthing people of Texas, is unsurprising. That’s because Texas, unlike any other state, has to take an extra step of redacting all maternal mortality records before they are reviewed by those collecting the data—making data review even more difficult and time-consuming.

The last data available on maternal deaths in Texas is from 2015 and was released before the 2021 legislative session.

We’re calling on the Texas Department of State Health Services to release critical data about pregnancy-related deaths and maternal morbidity immediately because Texans deserve to have updated information about the politicians they will choose to lead Texas.

Women in Texas deserve better!

women in texas deserve better

Dear Dr. Shuford,

As one of over a million members of MomsRising, I am writing to urge the release of the most recent maternal mortality data. As you are aware, Texas is one of the most dangerous places in the United States for women, especially Black women, to give birth. And the U.S. maternal death rate is many times higher than all other industrialized countries.

In order to change these abysmal statistics, the latest data is needed. It is beyond disappointing that the maternal mortality data for Texas is being delayed this year, it is unacceptable. Women in Texas deserve better.

To make matters worse, data analyses have shown that states with the strictest abortion bans have the worst maternal and infant outcomes. Yes, these issues are interconnected. Texans should have updated information about pregnancy-related deaths and maternal morbidity, especially before deciding which politicians they will choose to lead the state.

The CDC’s recently released report, showing that 80% of maternal deaths are preventable further emphasizes the critical need for updated data.

We want moms to go home with their babies and watch their children and families thrive. Too many families and communities have already borne the brunt of needlessly losing moms to preventable causes. We urge you to release the maternal mortality data for Texas so that we can begin to address our state’s maternal health crisis and save moms.

Thank you for your attention to this important issue.

Sincerely,

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