New findings published in the BMJ unveiled that women in the U.S. are more likely to be the subject of a homicide during pregnancy or soon after childbirth than become deceased by other common causes of maternal death, such as sepsis and high blood pressure disorders.
The authors of the study point out that most pregnancy-related homicides are the result of intimate partner violence and firearms but are preventable.
“Rates of domestic homicides are also associated with state-level rates of gun ownership and firearms legislation, yet the authors note that few perpetrators of intimate partner violence are ever convicted, and many loopholes allowing access to firearms remain,” according to a news release of the findings.
“Research to identify risk factors for homicide in pregnancy is also critical to prevention efforts, they add, but better quality data are needed for further analyses.”
“Ending male violence, including gun violence, is therefore an urgent priority for the health and safety of women everywhere, they conclude,” the news release also stated.
