A recent study has uncovered alarming trends in emergency department visits for hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, highlighting significant racial disparities in maternal health care. Between 2006 and 2020, researchers observed a 76% increase in emergency encounters related to this condition, which is the second leading cause of maternal deaths worldwide.
The study, published in JAMA Network Open, found that emergency department visits for pregnancy-related hypertension rose from 31,623 to 55,893 over the 14-year period. More concerning is the nearly 1.5-fold increase in hospital admissions for this condition, jumping from 17,338 to 43,563.
Dr. Courtney Townsel, the lead author of the study, pointed out that Black, Hispanic, and Asian or Pacific Islander groups were more likely to use emergency care and be admitted to the hospital for hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. This disparity suggests that these groups may experience more severe symptoms by the time they seek medical attention.
“The disparities in reliance on emergency rooms for this disease may imply limited access to timely outpatient care or other health system barriers,” Dr. Townsel explained. She emphasized the critical need for accessible, culturally competent community-level interventions for all individuals.
Dr. Erica Marsh, senior author and professor at the University of Michigan Medical School, noted that while hypertensive disorders of pregnancy often develop suddenly, ideally, the risk would be detected during prenatal care. The increasing reliance on emergency departments may indicate either a higher prevalence of the condition or greater awareness of the need for prompt assessment and treatment.
These findings underscore the ongoing racial disparities in U.S. maternal morbidity and mortality, calling for urgent action to address inequalities in maternal health care access and quality.
See “Study finds rise in emergency visits for pregnancy hypertension” (October 11, 2024)
