Compared to women in other wealthy countries, American women have the highest rates of maternal mortality and preventable mortality. In a new study published by the Commonwealth Fund, researchers compared health data on women, not just from the U.S., but also the U.K., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, France, Germany, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, and the Netherlands. American women were found to have a preventable mortality rate of almost 200 per 100,000, the highest of any of these nations. They also have the highest maternal mortality rate, at almost 24 deaths per 100,000 live births. That maternal mortality rate is more than three times as high as those in the other countries. The researchers found that American women are more likely to skip or delay necessary medical care and struggle to pay for health care. They are also more likely to suffer mental health issues and have higher rates of chronic medical conditions.
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