(Farmington) Missouri has one of the highest rates of deaths during and after pregnancy in the country.

A new report from the C.D.C. puts Missouri at number-44 in the nation and says two out of three of those deaths could have been prevented.

The report says a lack of access to proper health care is a major cause, especially in rural areas.

Race also plays a factor with black women dying two to three times more than their white counterparts.

The Missouri Hospital Association says they are working with other agencies and state lawmakers to address the issue.

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