The Illinois Department of Public Health has released their most recent maternal mortality report.
The key findings in the report are trends identified 94 pregnancy-related deaths in 2021 and 2022, an increase from past reports.
The report also found that 91% of all pregnancy-related deaths were potentially preventable, including all those resulting from mental health conditions or substance use disorders.
On top of that, black Illinoisians had the highest rates of maternal mortality, with discrimination identified as a contributing factor in nearly three-quarters of deaths.
Finally, pregnant people on Medicaid or with a high school or lower level of education died more frequently from pregnancy-related conditions than their counterparts on private insurance or with post-secondary education.
