OLYMPIA – The Washington State Department of Health's recent Maternal Mortality Review Panel Report revealed an increase in maternal deaths between 2021-2022. The report emphasized that most pregnancy-related deaths were preventable.

Behavioral health-related deaths, including suicide, homicide and accidental overdose, accounted for nearly half of these deaths. COVID-19 was identified as the second leading cause.

“The Maternal Mortality Review Panel Report helps us understand how to make pregnancy, birth, and postpartum care better for people in Washington,” said Lacy Fehrenbach, Chief of Prevention, Safety and Health, DOH.

The report highlighted disparities in maternal mortality rates. American Indian and Alaska Native communities faced the highest rates, with a risk 7.3 times higher t

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