According to a newly released CDC report, Alabama has the second highest fetal mortality rate in the country, right behind Mississippi.

Between 2017 and 2019, there were 947 fetal deaths in Alabama, which is a mortality rate of 5.37 percent.

These fetal deaths were due to complications including stillbirths and miscarriages, not abortions.

Dr. Wes Stubblefield is a Medical Officer for Alabama Department of Public Health. He said the root of the problem is poverty. Many moms-to-be can’t afford health care needed for prenatal care and lack access to health care in rural communities.

It's been something that's been on the governor's mind, and on both the minds of state agencies and interested parties in the last few years,” Dr. Stubblefield said.

Statistics show fetal mortality rates disproportionately impact women of color. The State of Alabama created programs including a child death review committee to study and monitor fetal and infant mortality rates. Dr. Katrina Skinner at Fairhope Pediatrics said there is a solution.

“Big one would be providing better access to health care for pregnant moms and it’s something that I wish our legislature would definitely spend more funding on,” Dr. Skinner said.

Although Alabama fetal mortality rate is high, the national rate is trending down.

You can find the 2021 CDC Fetal Mortality Report at https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nvsr/nvsr70/nvsr70-11.pdf