Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Pregnancy-Related Deaths — United States, 2007–2016
2019
This data publication from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report provides calculations of pregnancy-related mortality ratios by demographic characteristics (age, education, and race) for the United States using data from 2007 to 2016. The authors also provide the proportionate cause of death by race and ethnicity over the same time frame, highlighting the total deaths caused by hemorrhage, cardiovascular conditions, or infection, among other causes. Approximately 700 women die in the United States each year due to pregnancy or complications associated with pregnancy, and there are significant racial/ethnic disparities in who suffers from a maternal death. Between 2007 and 2016, the pregnancy-related mortality ratio was 16.7 per 100,000 births in the United States. However, non-Hispanic Black women and non-Hispanic Native American/Alaska Native experience much higher ratios at 40.8 deaths per 100,000 live births and 29.7 deaths per 100,000 live births.
Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Pregnancy-Related Deaths — United States, 2007–2016
Source:
Petersen E et al. Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Pregnancy-Related Deaths — United States, 2007–2016. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report 2019; 68(35): 762-765. DOI:https://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm6835a3.