The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) today released the third edition of the Illinois Maternal Morbidity and Mortality Report, covering maternal deaths occurring for Illinois residents during 2018-2020. Among the key findings are that Black women continue to die at disparately higher rates, specifically due to medical causes including cardiovascular disease and pre-existing chronic medical conditions; and that the leading overall cause of pregnancy-related death is substance use disorder. [IDPH]

An average of 88 pregnancy-associated deaths occurred in Illinois during the three years, with the highest number of deaths (110) taking place in 2020.  This report offers the first glimpse into the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the pregnant and postpartum population in Illinois.  However, the full scope of the pandemic will be studied in the next edition of the report when deaths beyond 2020 will be analyzed.

The report’s findings were previewed last week at the state’s second Maternal Health Summit on October 17 and 18, a virtual gathering of a broad range of maternal health stakeholders and experts. More than 330 people participated in the summit. Speakers included IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra, Dr. Robin L. Jones of Rush University Medical Center, the Chair of the Maternal Mortality Review Committees (MMRCs), and elected officials who work closely on maternal health issues: U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth and Dick Durbin and U.S. Representatives Robin Kelly and Lauren Underwood.

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