New Department of Health Report: Maternal Deaths Increased 62% Since 2020

The Department of Health has released its 2025 Maternal Mortality Review Panel report presenting findings from 2021-2022 and offering recommendations to improve care and save lives. Pregnancy-related maternal mortality rates in Washington rose to 30.5 per 100,000 live births in 2021-2022, a statistically significant increase from the state’s rate of 19.0 per 100,000 live births in 2017-2020.

Other key findings include: Most pregnancy-related deaths (82%) were preventable. The leading underlying cause of pregnancy-related death was accidental overdose, accounting for 33% of deaths, with most cases involving fentanyl. COVID-19 was the second-highest cause at 14%, followed by cardiovascular conditions (10%), suicide (10%), and thrombotic embolisms or blood clots (10%).

To help prevent maternal deaths from COVID-19, the department and the West Coast Health Alliance recommend the COVID-19 vaccine for all pregnant people, as well as for those who are planning pregnancy, are postpartum, or are lactating. Every COVID-19 death in the new report occurred in someone who was unvaccinated or only partially vaccinated at the time of diagnosis. The report also includes recommendations to address the root causes and systemic gaps contributing to these deaths. Learn more on the Department of Health website.