Disadvantages of Maternal Mortality - Essay Example

Introduction

Maternal mortality refers to the loss of life of a female person who is expectant or within six weeks of pregnancy termination. This is with no regard to the length of pregnancy or its visibility. Such deaths are classified under maternal mortality when they are as a result of pregnancy management issues or just the pregnancy itself. However, other incidental or accidental causes do not qualify it as maternal mortality (Alkema, Chou, and Hogan 463). This phenomenon is related to many cons or disadvantages, and this makes it a point of interest for further discussion. One of these controversies lies in the fact that it affects one of the most developed countries; the U.S and raises concern on how the country is handling such issues. This essay will focus on the work of Rachel Layne in analyzing the cons of maternal mortality. Layne explains the disadvantages through her article entitled, “Maternal Mortality; can the U.S reduce its death rates?” Furthermore, this essay aims at analyzing Layne's article while looking into the rhetorical tools used as well as the appeals that she applies to her work. In this way, the essay also identifies the various disadvantages of maternal mortality.

Summary

According to Layne's article on maternal mortality, the U.S is the leading among developed countries in the death of new moms. She states that the country can lose up to 650 women in one year due to pregnancy-related issues. Therefore, the U.S spends a lot of money per capita to cater to its health system. It is estimated that in a year, more than 49,000 women suffer from issues such as serious diseases or injuries during birth, and this is one of the leading factors that contribute to their death. Layne further puts the U.S in the bracket of the riskiest countries to have a child among the ten wealthiest nations. The article also states that among these wealthy nations, the U.S is the only one experiencing a rising number of maternal mortality. When it comes to more specifications, black moms seem to suffer more than their white counterparts. However, specialists have claimed that this issue is accelerated by the bias that occurs in both gender and race. Moreover, other underlying problems such as inadequate training of the physicians, lack of access to medical care, lack of insurance, and lack of proper documentation or inconsistency in data also significantly contribute to such issues (Layne 1).

Rhetorical Tools

To be able to make her work more appealing and easy to understand, Layne used several effective tools. The first tool she applies to her work is a rhetorical question where she asks, whether the United States can reduce the high number of deaths that occur due to maternal related issues. This is used to emphasize how serious the problem is in the country, and it prompts the mind of the reader to a variety of answers but does not guarantee a specific one. This also indicates the negative results that have been brought about by maternal mortality. The use of a rhetoric question shows that the U.S is still overwhelmed by this adversity. From her analysis, Layne shows that it is a difficult task for the country. Even, she also shares the effort being carried out to save the situation, such as making health insurance affordable by all members of the public.

Layne also uses facts in her article to describe the cons of maternal mortality. She alludes that the U.S uses a lot of money per capita on health, which is a fact that has been discussed for an extended period in both the different levels of government and in the media houses. She also asserts that Congress and other states are making considerations on subsidizing health insurance for mothers, especially those who have lost their jobs. This tool is used to create a reality of the fact that maternal mortality has a severe effect on individuals and the country at large. It further compels the reader to relate to Layne's work with what is happening currently in the country. Facts also show that the information is reliable, and its sound sources. It also makes it easier for readers to trust the data.

Thirdly, Layne has employed statistics into her work by giving out the exact number of people that have been negatively affected by maternal mortality. Her article clearly states that the number of deaths that occur in a year is 700. She further asserts that 50,000 women undergo rough times, such as sicknesses and serious injuries. This is in a bid to give the exact impact created by the presence of maternal mortality, which is a disadvantage to the country as a whole and individual families. Moreover, Layne is focused on ensuring that the reader is well informed of the approximate damage done to society by the problem outlined. However, she also draws a racial line, which shows that black mothers are more affected than their white counterparts, which is used to caution them from indulging in activities that make them vulnerable. It also gives the real cause of the cons of maternal mortality.

In the article, Maternal Mortality, Layne maintains a serious tone from the beginning to the end. She does this to show how significant the issue is to the whole country. The severe tone also indicates that maternal mortality is negatively affecting the country's economy. This is when she states that it has taken a toll on the country's per capita and that it is the only country among the ten wealthiest nations having such issues. Her tone indicates that the matter is not one to be taken lightly as it is affecting a country that is considered auspicious. The sound also suggests that measures should be taken to avoid more severe problems as a result of maternal mortality. In her tone, it is clear that various issues are leading to this problem, and the causes are based on the bias on both gender and race. Black women do not receive proper treatment due to the various issues facing them, ranging from proper documentation to lack of health insurance.

Appeals

Layne has focused on two main appeals to deliver her work; these are logos, which is the appeal to logic and ethos, which is the appeal to credibility. In terms of philosophy, Layne uses consistent data to write her article. She has collected information from direct sources such as the United States Department of Health and Human Services, which is famously known as the Health Department, where she states on how the U.S spends on health per capita. Furthermore, she talks of the plans being made by Congress to address the issue. She combines this information with the exact figures, and this makes her information logical.

The second appeal, which is credibility lays in the fact that Layne relies on credible sources to acquire her information. The article is not based on her opinions, and neither is it emotional. It is meant to outline the cons of maternal mortality without relying on one source but multiple sources. It also seeks to appeal to the minds of the readers so that they can trust the information this is shown through the transparency that is employed throughout the article with a tone of seriousness and of being sure. The essay easily convinces people of the disadvantages related to maternal mortality, and this shows how credible it is.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Layne explains the disadvantages through her article entitled, “Maternal Mortality; can the U.S reduce its death rates?” Furthermore, this essay has analyzed Layne's article while looking into the rhetorical tools used as well as the appeals that she applies to her work. In this way, the essay also identifies the various disadvantages of maternal mortality. Therefore, readers should consider going through the article since it directly reveals the defects of maternal mortality and opens one mind to understanding the reasons why the U.S is still the leading nation among the wealthiest countries in terms of this problem. By using the rhetoric tools and the two main appeals, Layne manages to get hold of a person's attention and, at the same time driving reasonable and realistic knowledge into their mind.