Overdose Now Leading Cause of Pregnancy-Associated Death in New York City
Pregnancy-Associated Deaths on the Rise
The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene has alerted healthcare providers that overdose is now the leading cause of pregnancy-associated death in New York City. The department’s 2021 data shows that 20 out of 58 total pregnancy-associated deaths (34.5%) were due to overdose. Of these 20 deaths, 16 involved an opioid.
Increase in Overdose-Related Deaths
The recent rise in overdose-related maternal deaths is a concern, as it sits at the intersection of two of the city’s persistent public health challenges – maternal mortality and the opioid epidemic. The city’s maternal health crisis, which disproportionately impacts Black women, has become a top priority for the New York City Council. Recent data shows that the overdose epidemic has started to stabilize in the city, but overdose deaths continue, particularly among non-white New Yorkers.
Racial Disparities
Black non-Hispanic and Hispanic birthing parents accounted for the highest proportions of pregnancy-associated deaths (39.7% and 36.2%, respectively), while accounting for only 17.7% and 28.9%, respectively, of live births.
Call to Action
Acting Health Commissioner Dr. Michelle Morse and her deputy commissioners urged healthcare providers to play a role in reducing the risk of overdose among New Yorkers, especially for pregnant and postpartum individuals, where the majority of these deaths are preventable.
Causes of Overdose-Related Deaths
The officials attributed the increase in overdose-related pregnancy-associated deaths to increased isolation during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic and an influx of fentanyl in the drug supply in recent years.
Health Department’s Response
The Health Department aims to achieve a 10% reduction in maternal death rates by 2030 through increased access to healthcare, social support, and sexual and reproductive healthcare, according to HealthyNYC, the department’s framework for improving life expectancy. Black women are four times more likely than White women to die from pregnancy-associated causes, according to the Health Department.
What Healthcare Providers Can Do
Healthcare providers were advised to:
- Screen for substance use, substance use disorders, and co-morbid mental health conditions
- Talk with patients who are pregnant and have opioid use disorder about initiating buprenorphine or methadone as soon as possible
- Continue to screen patients for substance use throughout the postpartum period
Conclusion
The recent rise in overdose-related pregnancy-associated deaths is a pressing concern, and healthcare providers must play a crucial role in reducing the risk of overdose among New Yorkers, particularly for pregnant and postpartum individuals. By addressing the root causes of this increase and providing support to vulnerable populations, we can work towards a safer and healthier New York City.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the leading cause of pregnancy-associated death in New York City?
A: Overdose is now the leading cause of pregnancy-associated death in New York City.
Q: What is the Health Department’s goal for maternal death rates by 2030?
A: The Health Department aims to achieve a 10% reduction in maternal death rates by 2030.
Q: Why are Black women four times more likely to die from pregnancy-associated causes?
A: According to the Health Department, Black women are four times more likely than White women to die from pregnancy-associated causes due to systemic and structural barriers to healthcare access and other social determinants of health.
