Maternal Mortality in Texas.
A commentary on maternal mortality in Texas is provided in response to a 2016 article inObstetrics & Gynecologyby MacDorman et al. While the Texas Department of State Health Services and the Texas Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Task Force agree that maternal mortality increased sharply from 2010 to 2011, the percentage change or the magnitude of the increase in the maternal mortality rate in Texas differs depending on the statistical methods used to compute and display it. Methodologic challenges in identifying maternal death are also discussed, as well as risk factors and causes of maternal death in Texas. Finally, several state efforts currently underway to address maternal mortality in Texas are described.
Division for Family and Community Health Services, Texas Department of State Health Services, Austin, Texas.
Sonia
S
Baeva
Division for Family and Community Health Services, Texas Department of State Health Services, Austin, Texas.
Natalie P
NP
Archer
Division for Family and Community Health Services, Texas Department of State Health Services, Austin, Texas.
Karen
K
Ruggiero
Division for Family and Community Health Services, Texas Department of State Health Services, Austin, Texas.
Manda
M
Hall
Division for Family and Community Health Services, Texas Department of State Health Services, Austin, Texas.
Julie
J
Stagg
Division for Family and Community Health Services, Texas Department of State Health Services, Austin, Texas.
Evelyn Coronado
EC
Interis
Division for Family and Community Health Services, Texas Department of State Health Services, Austin, Texas.
Rachelle
R
Vega
Division for Family and Community Health Services, Texas Department of State Health Services, Austin, Texas.
Evelyn
E
Delgado
Texas Department of State Health Services, Austin, Texas.
John
J
Hellerstedt
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas.
Gary
G
Hankins
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas.
Lisa M
LM
Hollier
D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D063130:Maternal Death / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008428:Maternal Mortality / Q000639:trends*; D015233:Models, Statistical; D011247:Pregnancy; D012307:Risk Factors; D013781:Texas / Q000453:epidemiology; D016387:Women's Health