Invited Commentary

Commentary on "Maternal Mortality in the Mississippi Delta Region"

Authors: Michael S. Cardwell, MD, MPH

Abstract

In this issue of the Southern Medical Journal, Magann and colleagues present evidence of a significantly greater maternal mortality rate (MMR) in the Mississippi Delta region compared with the non-Delta regions of the United States.1 The MMR is a useful proxy for revealing inequality of high-quality health care. The World Health Organization has defined inequality of health care as differences in health between defined groups that are avoidable and unjust.2 Inequality of health care may be caused by poverty, race, ethnicity, cultural attributes, and geographic factors.3

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References

1. Smith BL, Sandlin AT, Bird TM, et al. Maternal mortality in the Mississippi Delta region. South Med J 2014;107:275-279.
 
2. Solar O, Irwin A. A Conceptual Framework for Action on the Social Determinants of Health. Paper 2 (Policy and Practice). Geneva, World Health Organization, 2010.
 
3. Health Care Systems for Underserved Women. Committee Opinion No. 516. Washington, DC, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, 2012.
 
4. Hoyert DL. Maternal mortality and related concepts. Vital Heath Stat 3 2007;33:1-13.
 
5. D’Alton ME, Bonanno CA, Berkowitz RL, et al. Putting the ‘‘M’’ back in maternal-fetal medicine. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2013;208:442-448.
 
6. Guttmacher Institute. Fact sheet: unintended pregnancy in the United States. http://www.guttmacher.org/pubs/FB-Unintended-Pregnancy-US.html. Published December 2013. Accessed March 23, 2013.