U.S. Maternal Mortality Crisis Worsens with Stark Disparities by Race and State

New research highlights a 28% rise in pregnancy-related deaths since 2018, with cardiovascular disease and postnatal care gaps driving preventable fatalities.

• The United States leads high-income nations in maternal mortality, with rates increasing by nearly 28% from 2018 to 2022, according to a JAMA Network Open study.
• Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of maternal deaths, exacerbated by underlying conditions like hypertension and gaps in postnatal care.
• Native American, Alaska Native, and Black women face disproportionately higher mortality rates, with Native American women 3.8 times more likely to die than white women.
• State disparities are significant, with Alabama and Mississippi reporting the highest death rates, while California, with the lowest rate, demonstrates the potential to prevent thousands of deaths nationwide.
• The COVID-19 pandemic intensified the crisis, with maternal deaths peaking in 2021, particularly affecting women aged 25 to 39.

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