Black Maternal Health

The U.S. has the highest maternal mortality rate among high-income countries. And over 80% of pregnancy-related deaths in the U.S. were preventable, according to 2017 to 2019 data from Maternal Mortality Review Committees reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).  CDC data also shows that in 2021 Black women were 2.6 times more likely than white women to die from pregnancy-related causes.

It is important to note that these are national statistics and the rates can be even more catastrophic in certain states, counties, and cities. The high rates of maternal mortality among Black women span across income levels, education levels, and socioeconomic status. The model policies below represent efforts to reduce maternal mortality and morbidity among Black women and birthing persons.