Maternal Mortality Crisis
The United States has the worst maternal death rates of any developed country. Black women are three to four times more likely to die from pregnancy complications than white women, independent of age, parity or education. Every year in this country, 700 - 900 women die from pregnancy or childbirth-related causes, and some 65,000 suffer severe complications. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 60 percent of maternal deaths in this country are preventable. And, according to the World Health Organization, we are the ONLY industrialized nation in the world where maternal deaths are rising, not falling.
Our team continues to work hard to make maternal mortality, and specifically the crisis in Black maternal health a key issue for leaders on the local, state, and national levels. Check out our factsheet to learn more about why we must address maternal mortality and morbidity in the United States.
Congress passed the Preventing Maternal Deaths Act, in December of 2018. This was an incredible, powerful and groundbreaking win for pregnant women and moms throughout our country! And it happened because of our incredible MomsRising members.
On Twitter? Please join us for our monthly #MaternalJustice Twitter chats, last Monday of every month at 8-9pm ET. Search and follow the hashtag #MaternalJustice on Twitter for information and discussion.
The pandemic's effect on maternal mental health is staggering. It is time to expand access to child care, pass paid leave & invest in maternal health! It is time to Build Back Better!
23,500 babies (65 a day) are stillborn every year in the United States. It doesn't have to be this way - we can do something about it―right now!
Tell Congress to make health care a priority!
The historic, much-needed investments in the Build Back Better package, including paid family / medical leave, childcare, home- and community-based services, the Child Tax Credit, addressing equity in maternal health, healthcare, and immigration reform, will be transformative for moms, women, and families.