Editorial
Importance of research in reducing maternal morbidity and mortality rates

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Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development research on maternal morbidity/mortality

Improving the quality and availability of maternal mortality data is a national priority. The Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) is prioritizing research that improves maternal health. In 2017, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) created an official reporting category for maternal health that encompasses both maternal morbidity and death. These data and their trends over the past 2 fiscal years are publicly available via the NIH Reporter (

Comment

The prevention of maternal morbidity and death and the promotion of maternal health are integral to the NICHD’s core mission of assuring that women experience no harm from reproductive processes. Although NICHD-sponsored research projects have led to significant scientific advances, we recognize that more must be done to reduce severe maternal morbidity and mortality rates, especially among black women and those of advanced maternal age in the United States.

A coordinated research agenda is

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There are more references available in the full text version of this article.

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The authors report no conflict of interest.

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