In 2023, non-Hispanic Black women had the highest rates of maternal mortality among select races/ethnicities in the United States, with 50.3 deaths per 100,000 live births. The total maternal mortality rate in the U.S. at that time was 18.6 per 100,000 live births, a decrease from a rate of almost 33 in 2021. This statistic presents the maternal mortality rates in the United States from 2018 to 2023, by race and ethnicity.
Maternal mortality rates can vary significantly around the world. For example, in 2022, Estonia had a maternal mortality rate of zero per 100,000 live births, while Mexico reported a rate of 38 deaths per 100,000 live births. However, the regions with the highest number of maternal deaths are Sub-Saharan Africa and Southern Asia, with differences between countries and regions often reflecting inequalities in health care services and access. Most causes of maternal mortality are preventable and treatable with the most common causes including severe bleeding, infections, complications during delivery, high blood pressure during pregnancy, and unsafe abortion. Maternal mortality in the United States In 2022, there were a total of 817 maternal deaths in the United States. Women aged 25 to 39 years accounted for 578 of these deaths, however, rates of maternal mortality are much higher among women aged 40 years and older. In 2022, the rate of maternal mortality among women aged 40 years and older in the U.S. was 87 per 100,000 live births, compared to a rate of 21 among women aged 25 to 39 years. The rate of maternal mortality in the U.S. has risen in recent years among all age groups. Differences in maternal mortality in the U.S. by race/ethnicity Sadly, there are great disparities in maternal mortality in the United States among different races and ethnicities. In 2022, the rate of maternal mortality among non-Hispanic white women was about 19 per 100,000 live births, while non-Hispanic Black women died from maternal causes at a rate of almost 50 per 100,000 live births. Rates of maternal mortality have risen for white and Hispanic women in recent years, but Black women have by far seen the largest increase in maternal mortality. In 2022, around 253 Black women died from maternal causes in the United States.
Maternal mortality ratio is defined as the number of female deaths due to obstetric causes (ICD-10 codes: A34, O00-O95, O98-O99) while pregnant or within 42 days of termination of pregnancy. The maternal mortality ratio indicates the likelihood of a pregnant person dying of obstetric causes. It is calculated by dividing the number of deaths among birthing people attributable to obstetric causes in a calendar year by the number of live births registered for the same period and is presented as a rate per 100,000 live births. The number of live births used in the denominator approximates the population of pregnant and birthing people who are at risk. Data are not presented for geographies with number of maternal deaths less than 11.Compared to other high-income countries, women in the US are more likely to die from childbirth or problems related to pregnancy. In addition, there are persistent disparities by race and ethnicity, with Black pregnant persons experiencing a much higher rate of maternal mortality compared to White pregnant persons. Improving the quality of medical care for pregnant individuals before, during, and after pregnancy can help reduce maternal deaths.For more information about the Community Health Profiles Data Initiative, please see the initiative homepage.
In 2020, it was determined that 83.5 percent of pregnancy-related deaths in the United States were preventable. That is, there was at least some chance of the maternal death being averted by one or more reasonable changes to patient, community, provider, facility, and/or systems factors. The U.S. has one of the highest maternal mortality rates among developed nations, and maternal mortality is disproportionately high among non-Hispanic Black women. This statistic shows the percentage of pregnancy-related deaths in the U.S. that were preventable in 2020.
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It took a white police officer's knee on George Floyd's neck before white people began to reckon with 400 years of slavery and its aftermath, the effects of which Black people have endured for generations. Monuments are being taken down, flags are being redesigned, and institutions that honored those who denied the humanity of Black people are being renamed. Unfortunately for Sandra Bland, Breonna Taylor, Sha-Asia Washington and countless other Black transgender people including those with capacity for pregnancy, there was no justice even prior to the global pandemic of SARS-Cov-2 or coronavirus; namely racism, violence, and the Black Maternal Health crisis that makes it less likely that Black women will survive pregnancy and childbirth. The purpose of this article is to situate the state of Black people with the capacity for pregnancy in the context of these existing crises to illuminate the myths that racism has perpetuated through science, health services provision and policy. The greatest of these is the myth of a default human that can serve as a standard for the rest of the population. This racist ideal underpins education, provision of care, research, policies, and public health praxis. Demolishing the myth starts with acknowledging that Black people are not the architects of their own destruction: the default standard of whiteness is. The article begins with a historical background on how this myth came to be and elucidates the development and perpetuations of the myth of the default human. Next, we present an evidence based scoping review of the literature to summarize current thinking with specific focus on the Black maternal health crisis, we make policy recommendations and retrofits of upstream public health approaches for existing programs toward health equity. We also situate Black maternal health as part of a reproductive justice frame that centers Black women and birthing people's autonomy and agency. In other words, we use the scoping review to end with reimagining public health policy and provide an actionable roadmap to specifically disrupt the myth of the default human and dismantle racism in education, provision of care, research, policies, and public health praxis.
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Central African Republic CF: Maternal Mortality Ratio: Modeled Estimate: per 100,000 Live Births data was reported at 692.000 Ratio in 2023. This records a decrease from the previous number of 841.000 Ratio for 2022. Central African Republic CF: Maternal Mortality Ratio: Modeled Estimate: per 100,000 Live Births data is updated yearly, averaging 1,123.000 Ratio from Dec 1985 (Median) to 2023, with 39 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1,650.000 Ratio in 2019 and a record low of 692.000 Ratio in 2023. Central African Republic CF: Maternal Mortality Ratio: Modeled Estimate: per 100,000 Live Births data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Central African Republic – Table CF.World Bank.WDI: Social: Health Statistics. Maternal mortality ratio is the number of women who die from pregnancy-related causes while pregnant or within 42 days of pregnancy termination per 100,000 live births. The data are estimated with a regression model using information on the proportion of maternal deaths among non-AIDS deaths in women ages 15-49, fertility, birth attendants, and GDP measured using purchasing power parities (PPPs).;WHO, UNICEF, UNFPA, World Bank Group, and UNDESA/Population Division. Trends in maternal mortality estimates 2000 to 2023. Geneva, World Health Organization, 2025;Weighted average;This indicator represents the risk associated with each pregnancy and is also a Sustainable Development Goal Indicator (3.1.1) for monitoring maternal health.
In South Sudan, Chad, and Nigeria the maternal mortality rate was above one thousand in 2020. South Sudan recorded the highest number of mothers' deaths per 100,000 live births. That year, for every 100,000 children, 1,223 mothers died from any cause related to or aggravated by pregnancy or its management. The maternal death rate in Chad equaled to 1,063. Nigeria followed with 1,047 deaths per 100,000 live births.
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Central African Republic CF: Number of Maternal Death data was reported at 1,700.000 Person in 2023. This records a decrease from the previous number of 1,900.000 Person for 2022. Central African Republic CF: Number of Maternal Death data is updated yearly, averaging 2,100.000 Person from Dec 1985 (Median) to 2023, with 39 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 3,600.000 Person in 2019 and a record low of 980.000 Person in 1985. Central African Republic CF: Number of Maternal Death data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Central African Republic – Table CF.World Bank.WDI: Social: Health Statistics. A maternal death refers to the death of a woman while pregnant or within 42 days of termination of pregnancy, irrespective of the duration and site of the pregnancy, from any cause related to or aggravated by the pregnancy or its management but not from accidental or incidental causes.;WHO, UNICEF, UNFPA, World Bank Group, and UNDESA/Population Division. Trends in maternal mortality estimates 2000 to 2023. Geneva, World Health Organization, 2025;Sum;
1,700 (number) in 2023. Maternal mortality deaths is the number of women who die during pregnancy and childbirth.
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ObjectiveHealth Inequalities refer to disparities in healthcare access and outcomes based on social determinants of health. These inequalities disproportionately affect Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic (BAME) groups, particularly pregnant women, who face increased risks and limited access to care due to low health literacy. Maternal mortality rates for BAME women can be up to four times higher than for white women. This scoping review aimed to assess the impact of health literacy on BAME pregnant women’s health outcomes and experiences. Objectives included evaluating health literacy improvement tools, engaging stakeholders through co-production, and identifying persisting health inequalities.Data sourcesA scoping review using the Arksey and O’Malley’s framework was conducted. A specific search strategy was developed with a research librarian across three databases: EMBASE, Medline, and the Maternity and Infant Care (MIC) database. Patient, Public Involvement, and Engagement (PPIE) members were consulted from the outset to co-design the research question and to provide feedback on the findings.Study appraisal and synthesis methodsOut of 1958 articles, 19 were included in the study, with 47% from the US and 21% from Denmark. Articles were published from EMBASE. 47% of the articles measured health literacy, while 53% implemented health literacy interventions, such as digital or community-based approaches.ResultsAll 19 articles highlighted lower health literacy in BAME women compared to other groups. Ten proposed recommendations, while others emphasized the impact of social determinants of health, collectively underscoring the need for more research on BAME health.ConclusionsThe review underscores the inadequate health literacy and patient experience of BAME pregnant women. It also highlights the potential of digital health interventions to improve health literacy and health outcomes. The findings call for increased research into health literacy tools for BAME pregnant women. Healthcare systems, including the NHS, should allocate resources to enhance digital health interventions and address health inequalities in BAME groups during pregnancy.
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ObjectiveHealth Inequalities refer to disparities in healthcare access and outcomes based on social determinants of health. These inequalities disproportionately affect Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic (BAME) groups, particularly pregnant women, who face increased risks and limited access to care due to low health literacy. Maternal mortality rates for BAME women can be up to four times higher than for white women. This scoping review aimed to assess the impact of health literacy on BAME pregnant women’s health outcomes and experiences. Objectives included evaluating health literacy improvement tools, engaging stakeholders through co-production, and identifying persisting health inequalities.Data sourcesA scoping review using the Arksey and O’Malley’s framework was conducted. A specific search strategy was developed with a research librarian across three databases: EMBASE, Medline, and the Maternity and Infant Care (MIC) database. Patient, Public Involvement, and Engagement (PPIE) members were consulted from the outset to co-design the research question and to provide feedback on the findings.Study appraisal and synthesis methodsOut of 1958 articles, 19 were included in the study, with 47% from the US and 21% from Denmark. Articles were published from EMBASE. 47% of the articles measured health literacy, while 53% implemented health literacy interventions, such as digital or community-based approaches.ResultsAll 19 articles highlighted lower health literacy in BAME women compared to other groups. Ten proposed recommendations, while others emphasized the impact of social determinants of health, collectively underscoring the need for more research on BAME health.ConclusionsThe review underscores the inadequate health literacy and patient experience of BAME pregnant women. It also highlights the potential of digital health interventions to improve health literacy and health outcomes. The findings call for increased research into health literacy tools for BAME pregnant women. Healthcare systems, including the NHS, should allocate resources to enhance digital health interventions and address health inequalities in BAME groups during pregnancy.
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BackgroundHigher socioeconomic position is associated with better birth outcomes and maternal mental health, although this relationship is less consistent for Black women. The literature is limited on the impact of social mobility across the life course on mental health of pregnant women. This study examines the impact of perceived financial status across the life-course on depressive symptoms during pregnancy among Black women.MethodsData were from the Life-course Influences of Fetal Environments (LIFE) retrospective cohort study among pregnant Black women in metropolitan Detroit, Michigan. Depressive symptoms in the two weeks prior to birth were assessed using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CES-D) scale. Social mobility was determined at three intervals over the life course using self-report of financial status during childhood, adolescence, and current age in pregnancy.Results1,410 pregnant women participated, ranging in age from 18 to 45 years old. CES-D scores ranged from 0 to 53 (mean = 15.3) and 26% of the sample reported high depressive symptoms. In each age interval, higher financial status was associated with significant protective effect on depressive symptoms, and the magnitude of the effect increased across the life course. Trajectory analysis demonstrated that both the upward (4.51; 95% CI, 2.43–6.6) and downward (4.04; 95% CI, 2.62–5.46 and 3.09; 95% CI, 1.57–4.62) life-course social mobility groups had increased mean CES-D scores compared to the static social mobility group.ConclusionThis study describes the importance of previous childhood and current financial status effects on mental health in Black pregnant women.
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Central African Republic CF: Lifetime Risk Of Maternal Death data was reported at 4.236 % in 2023. This records an increase from the previous number of 4.157 % for 2022. Central African Republic CF: Lifetime Risk Of Maternal Death data is updated yearly, averaging 6.318 % from Dec 1985 (Median) to 2023, with 39 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 9.025 % in 2019 and a record low of 4.157 % in 2022. Central African Republic CF: Lifetime Risk Of Maternal Death data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Central African Republic – Table CF.World Bank.WDI: Social: Health Statistics. Life time risk of maternal death is the probability that a 15-year-old female will die eventually from a maternal cause assuming that current levels of fertility and mortality (including maternal mortality) do not change in the future, taking into account competing causes of death.;WHO, UNICEF, UNFPA, World Bank Group, and UNDESA/Population Division. Trends in maternal mortality estimates 2000 to 2023. Geneva, World Health Organization, 2025;Weighted average;
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About 295,000 women died globally during and following pregnancy and childbirth in 2017. Two-thirds of these deaths occurred in Sub-Saharan Africa. By linking individual and regional data from 135 regions in 17 Sub-Saharan African countries over the period 2002–2018 this study explores how bribery affects maternal mortality in Sub-Saharan Africa. Our results show that the percentage of people who had first-hand experience in bribery is significantly and positively associated with pregnancy related deaths. We find that a 10 p.p. increase in the prevalence of bribery is associated with up to 41 [95% CI: 10–73] additional deaths for every 1,000 pregnancy-related deaths. However, the healthcare system quality appears to be an important moderator. To reduce maternal mortality, policy makers should not only increase investments in healthcare, they need also to implement measures to combat corruption.
Non-Hispanic Black women had the highest rate of infant mortality in the U.S. in 2022. In that year, there were almost 11 infant deaths per 1,000 live births among Black women. Leading causes of infant mortality in the U.S. include congenital malformations, disorders related to short gestation and low birth weight, maternal complications, and sudden infant death syndrome.
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ABSTRACT Cross-sectional study carried out with survey data in four large Brazilian cities. This research analyzes data from Campinas (SP), aiming at characterizing the profile of high-risk pregnant women followed-up at specialized public outpatient clinics, as well as to verify and discuss aspects related to collaborative care in the decision on the route of birth delivery during the specialized prenatal care. The sample was calculated considering the prevalence of the high-risk pregnancy, morbidity profile and coverage of specialized services. Questionnaires were applied to 405 pregnant women of these services, and a descriptive analysis was performed based on the frequency distribution of the questions. The profile of pregnant women is mainly composed of young, black women, who have completed high school and without health insurance. There was a statistical association between variables: when women choose their own route of birth individually, the majority opts for normal birth; when only the doctor decides, the majority indicates cesarean section; and, when a joint decision is made the cesarean section prevails, but, in a lower percentage than when the doctor decides alone. It is necessary to discuss the power asymmetry between doctors and users in the care management as a fundamental component to qualify health work.
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Central African Republic CF: Lifetime Risk of Maternal Death: 1 in: Rate Varies by Country data was reported at 24.000 NA in 2023. This stayed constant from the previous number of 24.000 NA for 2022. Central African Republic CF: Lifetime Risk of Maternal Death: 1 in: Rate Varies by Country data is updated yearly, averaging 16.000 NA from Dec 1985 (Median) to 2023, with 39 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 24.000 NA in 2023 and a record low of 11.000 NA in 2019. Central African Republic CF: Lifetime Risk of Maternal Death: 1 in: Rate Varies by Country data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Central African Republic – Table CF.World Bank.WDI: Social: Health Statistics. Life time risk of maternal death is the probability that a 15-year-old female will die eventually from a maternal cause assuming that current levels of fertility and mortality (including maternal mortality) do not change in the future, taking into account competing causes of death.;WHO, UNICEF, UNFPA, World Bank Group, and UNDESA/Population Division. Trends in maternal mortality estimates 2000 to 2023. Geneva, World Health Organization, 2025;Weighted average;
Infant mortality rates in the United States reveal significant disparities among racial and ethnic groups. In 2023, Black mothers faced the highest rate at nearly 11 deaths per 1,000 live births, more than double the rate for white mothers. This stark contrast persists despite overall improvements in healthcare and highlights the need for targeted interventions to address these inequalities. Birth rates and fertility trends While infant mortality rates vary, birth rates also differ across ethnicities. Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander women had the highest fertility rate in 2022, with about 2,237.5 births per 1,000 women, far exceeding the national average of 1,656.5. In 2023, this group maintained the highest birth rate at 79 births per 1,000 women. Asian women, by contrast, had a much lower birth rate of around 50 per thousand women. These differences in fertility rates can impact overall population growth and demographic shifts within the United States. Hispanic birth trends and fertility decline The Hispanic population in the United States has experienced significant changes in birth trends over recent decades. In 2021, 885,916 babies were born to Hispanic mothers, with a birth rate of 14.1 per 1,000 of the Hispanic population. This represents a slight increase from the previous year. However, the fertility rate among Hispanic women has declined dramatically since 1990, dropping from 108 children per 1,000 women aged 15-44 to 63.4 in 2021. This decline aligns with broader trends of decreasing fertility rates in more industrialized nations.
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PurposeMental health conditions are the leading cause of preventable maternal mortality and morbidity, yet few investigations have examined perinatal bipolar disorders. This study sought to examine racial differences in the odds of having a bipolar disorder diagnosis in perinatal women across self-reported racial groups in a large sample in California, USA.MethodThis cross-sectional study uses data from 3,831,593 women who had singleton live births in California, USA from 2011 to 2019 existing in a linked dataset which included hospital discharge records and birth certificates. International Classification of Diseases codes were used to identify women with a bipolar disorder diagnosis code on the hospital discharge record. Medical charts and birth certificate data was used to extract information on clinical and demographic covariate characteristics. Multivariable logistic regression was used to estimate the odds of having a bipolar disorder diagnosis across different self-reported racial groups.ResultsWe identified 19,262 women with bipolar disorder diagnoses. Differences in the presence of a bipolar disorder diagnosis emerged by self-reported race. In the fully adjusted model, Multiracial (selection of two races self-reported) women, compared to single-race White women had the highest odds of having a bipolar disorder diagnosis. Further examination of the all-inclusive Multiracial category revealed differences across subgroups where White/Black, White/American Indian Alaskan Native, and Black/American Indian Alaskan Native women had increased odds for bipolar disorder compared to single race White women.ConclusionsDifferences in bipolar disorder diagnoses exist across racial categories and when compared to White women, Multiracial women had the highest odds of bipolar disorder and thus represent a perinatal population of focus for future intervention studies. The increased burden of mental health problems among Multiracial women is consistent with recent research that employs disaggregated race data. More studies of Multiracial women are needed to determine how self-reported racial categories are related to increased risk for perinatal bipolar disorder.
From 2019 to 2021, there were over ** infant deaths per 1,000 live births among non-Hispanic Black women who were obese before pregnancy in the United States. This statistic illustrates the rate of infant mortality in the United States from 2019 to 2021, by maternal pre-pregnancy body mass index and race/ethnicity.
In 2023, non-Hispanic Black women had the highest rates of maternal mortality among select races/ethnicities in the United States, with 50.3 deaths per 100,000 live births. The total maternal mortality rate in the U.S. at that time was 18.6 per 100,000 live births, a decrease from a rate of almost 33 in 2021. This statistic presents the maternal mortality rates in the United States from 2018 to 2023, by race and ethnicity.