Healthy mothers and healthy babies contribute to the health of Wisconsin’s communities. Yet nationally, 1 in 7 women experience depression and anxiety during pregnancy and after they give birth. Only half of these women receive treatment. A new study reveals the cost of unmet maternal mental health needs and sheds light on the importance of expanding access to post-partum care as proposed in the governor’s budget.

The new analysis released by Mathematica, in connection with national Maternal Mental Health Awareness week, documents the cost of depression, anxiety, and other mental health challenges pregnant women face. According to this analysis, the combined costs from pregnancy through the first five years – exceeded $14 billion nationwide for births in 2017.

According to a 2019 publication released by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services at least 13% of women experience major depression during their pregnancy and about 14% experience postpartum depression within the year following delivery. They note that these numbers are likely low because many women go undiagnosed and untreated. Slightly less than half of Wisconsin women report being screened for depression symptoms and far less are screened following birth of their child.

Stress factors — such as problems with their partner or spouse, trouble paying rent or other bills, or loss of a job — increase the likelihood that women will experience depression during pregnancy. Although the report did not address the role of racial inequity on maternal mental health, disproportionate adverse health outcomes for women and children of color in Wisconsin are well established. Black and Native American mothers are more likely to die or experience severe health complications during pregnancy or childbirth.  The relationship between racial injustice, socio-economic stress, and mental health challenges similarly supports an assumption that mothers of color are disproportionately impacted in our state. We are pleased that the proposed state budget directly acknowledges this issue and state officials are taking steps to mitigate racial disparities in maternal and infant health.

Mathematica’s report showing the cost of maternal mental health challenges offers yet another reason why all Wisconsinites should support the Healthy Women, Healthy Babies initiative. Extending post-partum care for mothers covered through BadgerCare from 60 days to one year will help mothers maintain continuity of care and ensure that women are more likely to get the mental and physical health care and treatment they need. Creating an Infant Mortality Prevention program to address racial disparities between White and Black mothers and creating a pilot program to reimburse doulas through Medicaid are encouraging steps.

The health of women and children impacts the health of families and communities overall. Supporting Governor Evers’ budget, which makes historic investments in the health of women and children through expansion of Medicaid and the Healthy Women, Healthy Babies initiative, is the right thing to do. Mathematica’s analysis provides evidence for why it’s also the financially responsible thing to do.

William Parke-Sutherland