Maternal deaths in Washington rose between 2021-2022, and most pregnancy-related deaths were preventable, according to the Washington State Department of Health’s (DOH) new Maternal Mortality Review Panel (MMRP) Report.

Behavioral health-related deaths – including suicide, homicide and accidental overdose – accounted for nearly half of all pregnancy-related deaths. COVID-19 was the second leading cause. The report includes recommendations to address the root causes and systemic gaps behind these deaths.

The report is based on reviews conducted by DOH’s MMRP and includes data and findings from maternal deaths in 2021-2022, as well as demographic and trend data from 2014-2022. The MMRP reviews pregnancy-associated deaths, which are deaths from any cause during or within one year of pregnan

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