How can the U.S. solve its growing maternal mortality crisis? Health experts say one way is to look to other countries.

The U.S. has one of the highest maternal death rates of any wealthy nation, according to the World Health Organization and U.S. health officials. Several European countries have rates in the single digits.

Research shows the vast majority of pregnancy-related deaths are preventable. Public health experts believe solutions abroad can be translated to the U.S., citing successful practices in some European countries.

One such country is Norway, which has the lowest maternal mortality rate in the world: zero. Through its universal health care system, Norway provides free prenatal appointments at health centers near people’s homes, ensuring regular care and early detection of any issues.

Other key takeaways from Europe include the importance of quality medical care at delivery, addressing patient issues like addiction or poor nutrition, and providing care and support after childbirth.

A successful U.S. program, modeled after European care practices, is Commonsense Childbirth, which offers comprehensive care for pregnant women, including those who are vulnerable or uninsured.

Midwifery-led care has shown to be cost-effective and leads to fewer medical interventions compared to care led by OB-GYNs. Patients at Commonsense Childbirth have access to specialists if needed and receive postpartum care from midwives.

By learning from European models and implementing proven strategies, the U.S. can work towards reducing its maternal mortality rates and ensuring better outcomes for mothers and babies.