A recent study analyzed over 10,000 deaths of pregnant women and discovered that 76% of the homicides were committed with firearms. The risk of being shot to death while pregnant varies depending on the state of residence. The study’s lead author emphasized the importance of prevention measures to address this issue.
The likelihood of a pregnant woman being killed by a gun depends on her state of residence, with some states having a notably higher risk. The study, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, highlighted significant state-level variations in the number of women who die from gun violence during pregnancy or within a year of giving birth. Of the deaths recorded from 2018 to 2022, 76% of homicides were firearm-related.
Mississippi had the highest rate of pregnancy-associated murders, with lax gun laws and restrictions on abortion contributing to the concerning trend. States like Missouri, Georgia, and South Carolina also reported high rates of pregnancy-associated homicides involving firearms. The study’s findings underscore the need to consider factors beyond biology that contribute to these tragic outcomes.
The study authors stressed the role of firearms in pregnancy-associated homicides, calling attention to the alarming number of cases. They acknowledged that the reported figures may underestimate the true extent of pregnancy-related mortality, as many death records do not specify pregnancy status.
Overall, the study highlighted the preventable nature of these deaths and urged for proactive measures to address the underlying issues. It emphasized the importance of understanding the diverse factors influencing maternal care environments, policy landscapes, and historical contexts that contribute to divergent outcomes for pregnant individuals across states.
