Despite spending two and half times more per person on health than the OECD average, the maternal mortality rate in the U.S. – the number of women who die during or as a result of childbirth and pregnancy – increased from 12 to 14 deaths per 100,000 live births from 1990 to 2015, putting the United States at 46th in the world. Globally, maternal mortality has decreased 43 percent since 1990; the United States is the only developed country where it has gone up... For every maternal death, there are 75 to 100 more women who suffer a life-threatening complication during pregnancy or childbirth. (Wilson Center) Learn More
Black women are three times as likely to die from pregnancy-related causes as white women...Black women and birthing people face unnacceptable (and mostly preventable) risk during childbirth and throughout and after pregnancy. It must also be noted that Hispanic women saw the largest maternal mortality increase of any racial or ethnic demographic group in the study, rising by a staggering 44 percent in just one year. (The Century Foundation) Learn More
We invest in and amplify maternity care models that advance birth justice by taking a rights based approach to improving health outcomes, and ensuring that all people can give birth with dignity and respect, all while placing women at the center of the equation...The majority of maternal deaths in the U.S. can be prevented by timely access to respectful, equitable care...Working with decision-makers, thought and practice leaders, and community members is key to improving maternal health outcomes and increasing health equity. (EveryMotherCouts) Learn More