Why are so many Arizona moms dying in childbirth? A new task force will investigate

For every 100,000 births in Arizona, 20 women die.

And in nearly 90% of cases, their deaths are preventable. 

"It's a trend that's very reversible," Gov. Doug Ducey said Friday, after a ceremonial signing of legislation dedicated to preventing maternal deaths. "I want to understand better why it's happening."

The law, which contained an emergency clause to speed its implementation, established a 13-member committee — as well as two key deadlines.

By the end of 2019, the task force must submit a report outlining how to better collect information on how often and why Arizona moms die.

By the end of 2020, it must file another report that analyzes "readily available data" on maternal deaths with the governor and legislative leaders.

Sen. Kate Brophy-McGee, R-Phoenix, sponsored the legislation after learning about the death of Arianna Dodde, a young mother in her district. The 23-year-old died three days after giving birth to her son last August, after a torn uterus caused internal bleeding. 

“It’s just one of the most heartbreaking stories I’ve ever heard," Brophy-McGee said of Dodde's case in January.

Dodde's parents, Vicente and Leticia Garcia, stood behind the governor at Friday's signing. 

Problem not limited to Arizona

Though Arizona already had a law requiring officials to monitor maternal deaths, it didn't specify how often the state had to collect that data or how it should use it.

As of March, officials had put out only one report, which examined maternal deaths from 2012-2015.

The findings largely mirrored trends seen across the United States, which has the highest maternal death rate in the developed world. 

The report found that women of color and women in rural areas are more likely to die after giving birth, for instance. Among Arizona women, Native American mothers die at the highest rates.

The report also identified cardiac issues and high blood pressure as the cause of most deaths, followed by severe bleeding.

Earlier this year, a USA TODAY investigation found that those conditions frequently led to deaths and complications because hospitals and medical workers skipped key safety practices.

Of the 47 states analyzed, Arizona ranked 21st highest for maternal deaths, with 116 of every 10,000 deliveries resulting in complications. 

"I'd like Arizona to lead the charge in terms of good policy to make sure that mothers return from the hospital happy and healthy," Ducey said Friday.

Reach the reporter at maria.polletta@arizonarepublic.com or 602-653-6807. Follow her on Twitter @mpolletta.

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