A Washington State Department of Health report found that behavioral health conditions, predominantly suicide or overdoses, were a leading cause of pregnancy-releated deaths, according to the 2023 report from the state's maternal mortality review panel .
Reviews from the panel found that 32 percent of pregnancy-related deaths are due to behavioral health issues, based on cumulative data from 2014 to 2020. The report also notes policy and funding recommendations based on data from 2017 to 2020.
Hemorrhages and infection were also among the leading causes.
The review panel also reported that 80 percent of pregnancy-related deaths were preventable.
In terms of behavioral health, the panel called for expanded access to mental health services, substance abuse treatment, mental health screenings and treatment for pregnant people and parents, according to the report.