MATERNAL HEALTH IN THE UNITED STATES: AN AIUSA RESEARCH REPORT

As part of its work on the right to health, Amnesty International is focusing on the issue of maternal mortality. Globally the numbers are staggering: one woman dies every minute. In the US, 2-3 women die of pregnancy-related complications every day, and African American women are 3 times more likely to die than white women. According to the CDC, a government public health agency, at least half of these deaths could have been prevented if women had better access to adequate quality healthcare.

This report’s primary aim is to address maternal mortality in the US as a human rights issue. Preventable maternal deaths may be linked to violations of a number of human rights, including the right to the highest attainable standard of health, the right to life, and the right to freedom from discrimination. Authorities in the USA have an obligation under international human rights law to ensure that health services are available, accessible, acceptable and of adequate quality for the entire population on the basis of non-discrimination.

Amnesty International researchers are gathering information on a broad range of factors that may directly and indirectly affect maternal deaths - including access to affordable health care, language or other barriers, the quality of care, poverty and discrimination, informed consent, and accountability on a systemic level. We are interested in documenting the experiences of women from a wide variety of communities, including women of color, immigrant women (both documented and undocumented), and low income women.

The final report will provide an overview of the issues that affect maternal health in the United States. Additionally, the report will make a series of concrete recommendations to the US government based on input provided by women and their families, experts, advocates, health care workers, and service providers, and will form the basis of campaigning and activism.

WOMEN, FAMILIES, FRIENDS, CAREGIVERS:
SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCE

Amnesty would like to hear from women and family members who are willing to share their experiences of a difficult pregnancy, problems during labor and delivery, or a loved one’s maternal death. We are also interested in speaking with health care and service providers about related issues you have encountered in your work.

We are looking to document cases that reflect general patterns and problems in the health care system.
For instance, problems with:

• finding or paying for health care related to pregnancy, labor, and delivery
• inappropriate or discriminatory attitudes or behavior
• good communication, including listening understanding, and respecting patients needs and questions
• getting enough information to make health care decisions
• obtaining necessary services and support

It is essential that the voices of women and family members are heard. Likewise, it is important to gather information from health care and service providers who work in this field every day. We’re looking for your perspectives and recommendations in order to affect real change. Your experiences will play a critical role in our report and campaign.

*Any information provided to us will be kept completely confidential, unless you tell us otherwise.

If you’d be willing to share your experience, please contact:

Anita Kumar 1-866- 634-6519 akumar@aiusa.org

Please pass this link along to those who you think might also be interested in sharing their maternal health experience.