PURPOSE:
A death during or within a year of pregnancy is a tragedy for the family, community, and society, especially since most of these deaths are preventable. In the U.S., most states have implemented Maternal Mortality Review Committees (MMRCs) to identify underlying causes of death and inform prevention strategies. Midwives play an integral role in the multidisciplinary MMR process at the national and state levels. Working with the CDC, midwives provide technical assistance to state MMRCs. As committee members, midwives bring valuable insights to understanding contributors to deaths and opportunities for prevention. MMRCs provide data and make recommendations to drive action to reduce pregnancy-related deaths and improve outcomes.

DISCUSSION:
MMRCs review various data sources to identify pregnancy-associated deaths, determine pregnancy-relatedness, identify contributing factors, and develop recommendations to prevent future deaths. Additionally, MMRCs provide information for and collaborate with communities to identify opportunities to mitigate social drivers of health. State data from MMRC reviews are the sole source of data on injury- and mental health-related deaths as committees have access to unique information.

EVIDENCE WHERE RELEVANT:
Diverse, multidisciplinary MMRCs strengthening a committee’s ability to understand the circumstances of a pregnant or recently pregnant person’s life and death, broadening the identification of prevention opportunities beyond hospital walls. MMRCs identify the drivers of maternal mortality and work with partners to translate MMRC data to action. In 2024, 25 states published reports of their findings. Midwives are increasingly involved in this work.

KEY MESSAGE:
Midwives are integral to finding and implementing solutions for decreasing and preventing pregnancy-related deaths in the U.S. through the MMR process. Currently, midwives throughout the U.S. serve as members, abstractors, and leaders on MMRCs. Midwives can access the findings and recommendations of their state’s MMRC to inform their teaching, research, and clinical practice, including regarding efforts to address leading causes of deaths in disproportionately affected communities. Poster session 4 (Group B)