The problem: In the United States, maternal mortality review committees are providing compelling
data that drug-related deaths are emerging as a leading cause of pregnancy-associated
death (death during pregnancy or up to a year postpartum). Recommendations from the
maternal mortality review committees consistently highlight screening all pregnant
and postpartum women for drug use and improving access to evidence-based substance
use disorder and mental health treatment. Unfortunately, many providers lack the confidence,
skills, and necessary resources to screen for substance use, provide basic behavioral
health services, or facilitate referral to high-quality services in their clinical
settings. Our profession’s collective lack of response to a leading cause of maternal
death represents a missed opportunity for potentially life-saving interventions.
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Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
July 1,
2020
Received:
June 26,
2020
Footnotes
M.C.S. serves as a medical consultant for Gilead Sciences, Inc. T.E.W. serves as a medical consultant for McKesson. The other authors report no conflict of interest.
M.C.S. is supported by Women’s Reproductive Health Research (WRHR K12, 1K12 HD085816) Career Development Program.
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