Missouri Improves in Health Rankings for Women, Children

Among all states and the District of Columbia, Missouri's rank advanced four places to 37^th overall in America's Health Rankings' Health of Women and Children Report 2019. Within women's health specifically, Missouri jumped eight spots on the ranking list. The report uses over 60 metrics to compare and rank the health of women of reproductive age, infants and children among the 50 states. 

While appreciative of the improvements, health officials still face challenges ahead, especially with the high rate of maternal mortality in Missouri. The state is taking several measures to improve its mortality rate. One is a recently passed bill by the legislature to establish a Pregnancy-Assisted Mortality Review Board to improve data collection and reporting of maternal deaths in Missouri. Another is a collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control to identify, review and characterize maternal deaths and identify prevention opportunities.