Background
American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) populations face a significant maternal mortality burden. Specifically, AI/AN women are two to three times more likely to die of pregnancy or birth complications than non-Hispanic white women. While these committees are extremely valuable, there are currently no Tribally-led MMRCs and very few state MMRCs have Tribal representation.
With support from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of Reproductive Health NIHB is working to assist Tribes and Tribal organizations in exploring the possibilities of designing and implementing Tribally-led MMRCs.
Maternal Mortality Review Committees
Maternal Mortality Review Committees (MMRCs) are multidisciplinary committees that currently convene at the state or local level to comprehensively review deaths of women during or within a year of their pregnancy. The goal of the review process is to identify and implement recommendations to inform public health and clinical improvements to reduce maternal deaths and to improve wellness. MMRCs have shown that two out of every three pregnancy-related deaths are preventable.
Tribally-led Maternal Mortality Review Committees (fact sheet, pdf)
Maternal Mortality Review Committee Decisions Form
Review Committee Models
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National Indian Health Board’s Maternal and Child Health team attended the 2023 MMRIA User Meeting in Atlanta, Georgia, with Tribal Partners.
2023 National Convening on Tribal MMRCs:
In November 2023, the NIHB, in collaboration with the CDC MMPT, hosted the “2023 Convening on Tribal Maternal Mortality Review” that was held on the sacred lands of the Santa Ana Pueblo at the Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort. Tribal MMRCs do not currently exist, and many states lack Tribal representation on existing MMRCs. This meeting aimed to bring partners together to discuss the critical and complex issue of maternal mortality among American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities. A summary of the convening, discussion points, and main topics addressed to support the development of Tribal MMRs can be reviewed in the reports below.
- 2023 Convening on TribalMaternal Mortality Review: Meeting Summary
- 2023 Convening on TribalMaternal Mortality Review: Full Report
Policy Brief: New Resource for Tribal Maternal Mortality Review Committees (MMRC)
This policy brief introduces a new resource designed to assist Tribes and Tribal organizations interested in establishing Maternal Mortality Review Committees (MMRCs). The brief emphasizes the importance of understanding the cultural and historical context of American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) populations to develop targeted recommendations for improving maternal health outcomes in Indian Country. Unlike state MMRC programs, Tribal MMRCs face unique challenges, particularly regarding legal authority, policy support, and data access, which may be more complex due to sovereignty and jurisdictional differences. The brief outlines key legal and policy issues that Tribes must consider when developing MMRC programs, including the need for appropriate public health authority, protections, and data access to ensure a comprehensive and effective review process.
