Maternal deaths are dropping—but Black moms are still at the highest risk
Canva/Motherly
Black women in the U.S. are about 3.5 times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than White women.
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Black women remain at the highest risk of dying from pregnancy-related complications in the U.S., and their mortality rate was the only group that didn’t decline in 2023, according to new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). While overall maternal deaths for White, Asian and Hispanic American women have declined significantly, the crisis for Black mothers persists, highlighting deep disparities in healthcare access and treatment.
The 2023 data
The CDC’s latest report shows that maternal deaths decreased from 817 in 2022 to 669 in 2023, lowering the overall maternal mortality rate from 22.3 to 18.6 deaths per 100,000 live births. This drop was seen across most racial and ethnic groups, with White, Hispanic, and Asian women experiencing statistically significant declines.
But for Black women, the story is different. Their maternal mortality rate rose slightly from 49.5 to 50.3 deaths per 100,000 live births—a small increase that the CDC says is not statistically significant but is still alarming because it remains the highest of any racial group. By comparison, the 2023 mortality rate for White women was 14.5, for Hispanic women 12.4, and for Asian women 10.7.
Related: New study shows Black women are 25% more likely to have C-sections, but why?
Why this matters
Black women in the U.S. are about 3.5 times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than White women, a persistent disparity that has been documented for decades. Research consistently points to systemic factors, including disparities in healthcare access, implicit bias in medical treatment, and social determinants like income inequality and chronic stress. Multiple studies have shown that black women at all income levels are more likely to experience adverse outcomes than white women, suggesting that bias and disparities persist even when healthcare access and resources are comparable.
Black maternal health and policy concerns
These findings come amid growing concerns that federal maternal health programs addressing racial disparities may face challenges under new policy shifts. Axios reports that federal programs addressing racial disparities in maternal care face an uncertain future, raising fears that Black maternal mortality rates could worsen in the coming years.
Meanwhile, studies show that having more Black physicians and culturally competent care providers leads to better health outcomes, yet the number of Black students entering medical school has declined sharply. Advocates argue that addressing the Black maternal health crisis requires not only expanded access to healthcare but also systemic changes in medical education, policy, and community support.
Related: My birth story highlighted a critical reality: Black women need strong advocates
Where do we go from here?
While the overall decline in maternal deaths is encouraging, the persistence of racial disparities underscores the urgent need for targeted interventions. Experts emphasize solutions such as:
- Expanding access to doulas and midwifery care
- Increasing culturally competent medical training
- Addressing implicit bias in medical settings
Without focused action, Black mothers will continue to bear the brunt of a broken maternal healthcare system.
The fight for maternal health equity isn’t over—and for Black women in America, it remains a life-or-death issue.
Sources:
- Sharp Decline in Black and Hispanic Medical School Enrollment. Medical Society of the State of New York. PULSE 1/24/2025: Sharp Decline in Black and Hispanic Medical School Enrollment Following Affirmative Action Ban.
- Do Black patients fare better with Black doctors? AAMC. Do Black patients fare better with Black doctors?
- Maternal deaths drop — except for Black women. AXIOS. Maternal deaths drop — except for Black women.
- Racial Disparities in Maternal and Infant Health. KFF. Racial Disparities in Maternal and Infant Health: Current Status and Efforts to Address Them.
- Maternal mortality rates in the United States, 2023. CDC. Maternal mortality rates in the United States, 2023.
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