High death rate among mothers

A study by researchers at the Telethon Kids Institute has found Aboriginal Australian mothers are six times more likely to die of preventable external causes than non-Aboriginal mothers.

The study, published in BMC Public Health, found Aboriginal mothers were more likely to die from external causes, such as accidents, suicides and homicides, and they usually left more and younger children.

The elevated risks are highest for homicide where Aboriginal mothers are 17.5 times more likely to be killed than their non-Aboriginal counterparts.

The study suggests only about half of these excess risks could be explained by poor socio-economic circumstances and location, and that more research needed to be done to examine the factors associated with these potentially preventable deaths.

Telethon Kids Institute researcher and one of the study’s authors, Carrington Shepherd, said the loss of a mother could have a deep impact on families. The study highlighted the need for more to be done to protect this at-risk group from premature death.

“Maternal loss can have a traumatic impact on children and their development,” Dr Shepherd said.

“This can include long periods of grief, depression, stress, problems with identity development and the onward elevated risks of substance abuse and suicide in later life.”

Telethon Kids Institute head of Aboriginal research development, Glenn Pearson, said the findings were compelling and confirmed the need for researchers, health professionals and policy makers to work together to implement evidence based solutions. “Policies and interventions that promote good mental wellbeing, prevent and manage substance abuse, reducing domestic violence and the stresses associated with the marginalisation of Aboriginals, are all likely to protect mothers and their kids from these events.”