Maternal Mortality in the U.S. Remains Alarmingly High, New Study Finds

Recent data underscores persistent racial disparities, state-level inequities, and critical gaps in postpartum care contributing to maternal deaths.

The U.S. maternal mortality rate surged nearly 28% between 2018 and 2022, peaking in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic before slightly declining in 2022.
American Indian, Alaska Native, and Black women face disproportionately higher maternal death rates, with disparities up to 3.8 times greater than white women.
State-level differences reveal stark inequities, with Alabama and Mississippi reporting the highest maternal mortality rates, while California and Minnesota have the lowest.
One-third of maternal deaths occur more than six weeks postpartum, highlighting systemic healthcare gaps in the transition from obstetric to primary care.
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of maternal deaths, emphasizing the need for comprehensive prenatal and extended postpartum care.