The study reveals that over 80 percent of pregnancy-related deaths in the U.S. are preventable. Factors such as a shortage of maternity care providers, limited postpartum home visits, and the absence of guaranteed paid parental leave contribute to the heightened risk of maternal mortality, especially among Black women.
In 2022, the U.S. saw approximately 22 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births. For Black women, this rate soared to 49.5 per 100,000, as reported by the Commonwealth Fund, which specializes in independent health care research. Notably, two-thirds of maternal deaths occur within 42 days postpartum, underlining the critical need for comprehensive postpartum care, which is not universally covered by state Medicaid programs or private insurers.
