Perinatal mental health conditions among U.S. active component service women, 2016-2022

Although mental health conditions are the leading underlying cause of maternal mortality, there is limited research on the prevalence of perinatal mental health conditions among active duty service women (ADSW). In this study of live-born deliveries among U.S. ADSW (n=62,729) with pregnancy start and end dates (i.e., dates of last menstrual period and infant delivery, respectively) from October 1, 2016 through December 31, 2021, International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision, Clinical Modification diagnosis codes were used to identify mental health conditions: trauma and stressor-related disorders, anxiety and panic disorders, depressive disorders, suicidal ideation or attempt, and eating disorders. Data were collected through 1 year postpartum, until December 31, 2022. The prevalence of diagnosed mental health conditions from 1 year prior to pregnancy through 1 year postpartum was 33.8%. Trauma and stressor-related disorders were most prevalent (23.1%), followed by anxiety and panic disorders (16.9%), depressive disorders (14.6%), suicidal ideation or attempt (1.6%), and eating disorders (0.4%). The prevalence of mental health conditions was higher in the postpartum period (22.0%) compared to pregnancy (18.4%) and prior to pregnancy (15.0%). Overall, higher prevalence of these conditions was found among non-Hispanic Black ADSW (37.4%), and those who were unmarried (38.4%), never deployed (34.9%), or in the Army (37.4%) and Navy (36.4%). One in 3 active duty service women were diagnosed with a mental health condition in the year preceding pregnancy through 1 year postpartum. Overall, non-Hispanic Black and junior enlisted active duty service women demonstrated higher prevalences of mental health conditions compared to all other racial and ethnic groups and military ranks.