Maternal Death and Education Level Correlation: An Analysis of North Dakota Health Trends

• DOI: 10.54053/001c.131716
• Publication Date: 2025-04-22T15:59:28Z
• Authors: Madelyn Jablonski; Jonah Muller; Thomas Arnold; Steffen Christensen; Dennis Lutz

Background: This study investigates the correlation between maternal mortality rates and socioeconomic factors, particularly education level race in a rural state. Lower educational attainment often correlates with reduced status healthcare access, potentially contributing to escalating rates, especially among Native American communities. North Dakota’s demographic composition, significant Caucasian populations, offers insights into persistent disparities healthcare. Systemic challenges, including limited obstetric care underfunding, exacerbate health inequities, American/Alaska peoples experiencing higher of poverty, unemployment, lack insurance coverage. Addressing these structural inequities through targeted interventions is crucial for improving outcomes narrowing disparities. By highlighting intricate relationship education, race, mortality, this underscores urgency promoting opportunities, conditions, accessibility within vulnerable populations combat rising advance well-being. Objective: The primary objective was analyze trends Dakota over 15-year period (2008-2022) assess impact racial background on rates. Specifically, data used determine if lower levels are associated heightened explore any populations. Methods: Maternal obtained from Department Health Human Services. In Dakota, defined as death while pregnant or 1 year end pregnancy cause related aggravated by pregnancy. set consisted 119 unique records deaths, information level, death, underlying death. analyzed using IBM SPSS software stratified evaluate potential associations Results: Analysis revealed concerning trend increasing well exceeding national average. Mothers without college degree accounted 75% all deaths indicating association Americans constitute largest minority group, warranting focused examination their Over past 15 years, 25 86 were women. Of 76% individuals also did not have degree. findings highlight critical importance addressing factors interventions. identified risk factor emphasizing need initiatives improve opportunities Conclusion: summary, provides valuable complex interplay Dakota. Identifying key determinants emphasizes tailored address Multifaceted approaches involving systems, policymakers, educators both communities essential effectively reduce promote Moving forward, concerted efforts collection practices, increase awareness, implement evidence-based achieving meaningful improved ensuring equitable access