A new scientific statement from the American Heart Association highlights the critical link between maternal psychological health and cardiovascular outcomes, particularly among minority communities. Published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, the statement emphasizes the urgent need for comprehensive screening and treatment of mental health conditions during pregnancy and postpartum to improve long-term maternal health outcomes.
The United States faces an alarmingly high maternal mortality rate, with significant disparities among underrepresented races and ethnicities. Non-Hispanic Black women experience a mortality rate 2.6 times higher than non-Hispanic white women. Perinatal psychological health conditions, such as depression and anxiety, are among the leading causes of maternal mortality and are associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes and long-term cardiovascular risks.
An estimated 52% of women of reproductive age report a history of psychological health conditions, with 40% of those from underrepresented races and ethnicities experiencing anxiety or depression during the perinatal period. These conditions can lead to negative health behaviors, affecting both maternal cardiovascular health and child neurodevelopment.
The statement calls for routine screening of pregnant and postpartum women for depression and anxiety, addressing modifiable risk factors, and considering both behavioral and pharmacological interventions. It also emphasizes the importance of multidisciplinary care teams, including psychologists and other behavioral health professionals, to provide appropriate mental health support.
To address disparities, the statement recommends expanding reimbursement for doulas, midwives, and community health workers. It also highlights the need for long-term research on perinatal psychological health, with a focus on including more people from underrepresented races and ethnicities in studies on maternal psychological and cardiovascular health.
By integrating psychological health screening and treatment into perinatal care, healthcare providers can take a significant step towards reducing cardiovascular disparities and improving overall maternal health outcomes, particularly for minority communities who bear a disproportionate burden of these health challenges.
See: “Screening & treating maternal psychological health key to improving cardiovascular health” (February 25, 2025)
