Polysubstance Use: A Pervasive Threat to Maternal Deaths in MO

The ratio of maternal mortality in Missouri has been consistently higher than the national rates. Similarly, the state of Missouri has seen more life lost due to overdose than the national rates. Overdose was the most common means of fatal injury for pregnancy-associated deaths from 2017-2019. This study seeks to illuminate the extent to which polysubstance abuse plays a role in maternal deaths in Missouri, utilizing analysis of substance types, and examining relationships to Substance Use Disorder. Through evaluating this data we have identified new opportunities to engage with the most at risk population in order to help prevent similar deaths in the future.