Maternal Mortality data released by the CDC, from the National Vital Statistics System, (NVSS) revealed a decline in maternal mortality rates in the United States in 2023. 

Data from the National Vital Statistics System rely on death certificate data, and are considered less reliable than data from state maternal mortality review committees, which the CDC also issues reports. 

Further, data from the NVSS are shown in the CDC’s assessment for only the four largest race and Hispanic-origin groups for which statistically reliable rates can be calculated, and numbers and rates are suppressed for those groups for which statistically reliable rates cannot be calculated, including the Native American/Alaskan Native populations which have the highest maternal mortality rates. 

Key Findings from the 2023 NVSS data include:

  • Overall Decline: Maternal deaths decreased from 817 in 2022, when maternal deaths were at their highest rates in 50 years, to 669 in 2023.
  • Age Disparities: While rates decrease significantly for women ages 25-39 and 40+, women aged 40 and older had a maternal mortality rate of 59.8 per 100,000 live births, nearly five times the rate of women under 25 (12.5 per 100,000).
  • Disparities widen for Black Women: Black women had a mortality rate of 50.3 deaths per 100,000 live births—more than three times the rate for White women (14.5), and significantly higher than Hispanic (12.4) and Asian (10.7) women. The following data illustrate the widening disparity:
    • White women’s rate dropped from 19 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2022 to 14.5 in 2023, a statistically significant decline.
    • Hispanic women saw a decline from 17 to 12 deaths per 100,000 live births, a statistically significant decline.
    • Asian American women also saw a slight decrease, from 13 to 11 deaths per 100,000 live births.
    • Black women had 50 deaths for every 100,000 live births in 2023, up slightly from 49.5 in 2022.

The leading causes of maternal deaths in 2023,  included excessive bleeding, blood vessel blockages and infections such as COVID-19.  According to the Associated press, reductions in deaths could be attributed to reduction in CoVID-19 health system strains, and Medicaid being extended from 6 weeks to up to 12 months in most states – providing women with coverage for postpartum treatment including emergency room coverage.

Policy Recommendations:

These recommendations are included in our Black Maternal Mental Health Issue Brief and aim to address the systemic disparities affecting maternal health outcomes.

  1. Increase the Number of Black and BIPOC Obstetric Professionals: Federal and state agencies should provide and promote training and scholarship funding to increase the number of Black and BIPOC midwives, OB-GYNs, and family practice providers. To support Black and BIPOC obstetric providers, a model similar to the HRSA’s Rural Maternity and Obstetrics Management Strategies Program should be implemented.
  2. Test for Proficiency in Recognizing Bias, Cultural Competence, and Maternal Mental Health: State licensing and certifying boards, for obstetric providers such as midwives and OB/Gyns, should require proficiency testing in cultural competence, bias recognition before issuing or renewing licenses. 
  3. Mandate Insurers and Health Plans to Report Provider Demographics and Conduct Network Adequacy Assessments: Insurers should collect and publish demographic information (race, ethnicity, etc.) for providers in their networks, making it easier for patients to find culturally concordant care. Additionally, network adequacy assessments should ensure that provider demographics align with the patient populations served.
  4. Support Research and Adoption of Community-Based Organization (CBO) Interventions: Increased investment is needed in research studying CBO-led interventions and incentivizing the adoption of evidence-based practices through grants, community learning networks, and insurance billing support.

Fund Maternal Mortality Review We further believe it’s critical that Congress continue to fund maternal mortality reviews to track maternal deaths and to do so by cause. Maternal mortality review committees are state based committees which conduct thorough reviews of maternal deaths and feed their findings into Federal data sets for national reporting. It’s critical that Congress continues funding this work.  The Preventing Maternal Deaths Act, signed into law by president Trump during his first presidency directs the CDC to provide resources and funding to states.  However funding was not included in the 2024, final continuing resolution passed by Congress in December.  

While the overall decline in maternal mortality rates is a positive development, the continued disparities among the Black population highlight the urgent need for targeted interventions. Policymakers must prioritize equitable access to healthcare and systemic reforms to ensure all women, regardless of race or socioeconomic status, receive high-quality maternal care.