Women in the United States are more likely to die from childbirth or pregnancy-related causes than other women in high-income countries. More evidence is needed to understand the actual causes of death better, but research suggests that more than 80% of these deaths may be preventable. Racial disparities persist. The risk of pregnancy-related deaths for black women is three to four times higher than those of white women.
Data and Statistics
- An Assessment of Severe Maternal Morbidity in Massachusetts 2011-2020 (PDF) | (DOCX), released on July 12, 2023
- Maternal Mortality and Morbidity bibliography | (DOCX)
- Maternal Mental Health & Pregnancy-Associated Deaths (PDF) | (DOCX)
- Substance Use among Pregnancy-Associated Deaths — Massachusetts, 2005–2014 (PDF) | (DOCX)
- 2014 Report: Pregnancy-Associated Mortality, 2000-2007 (PDF) | (DOCX)
- Previous Reports — Older than 2014