Maternal Morbidity, Mortality & Racial Disparities in Maternal Health
“American women die in childbirth at a higher rate than in any other developed country, while non-Hispanic Black women are more than 3 times more likely to have a maternal death than white women in the United States” (AJMC)
View the facts and videos on maternal morbidity, mortality and racial disparities in maternal health below.
Quick Facts:
Maternal Morbidity
(WHO Definition) Any health condition attributed to or aggravated by pregnancy and childbirth that has a negative impact on the woman’s wellbeing.
Severe Maternal Mortality
(CDC Definition) Includes unexpected outcomes of labor and delivery that result in short or long-term consequences to women’s health.
In the past decade, severe maternal mortality rates have doubled. (NIH)
Racial Disparities in Maternal Health
Pregnancy related mortality rates are highest among Black women, regardless of education or income factors. (NIH)
American Indian/Alaska Native and Black women are 2 to 3 times as likely to die from a pregnancy-related cause than white women. (CDC)