Maternal Mortality Statistics
The number of times more likely Black women are to die from pregnancy-related complications compared to white women in the U.S.
What is 2–3 times more likely?
Chronic conditions like hypertension and diabetes that increase maternal health risks.
What are pre-existing health conditions?
Period in U.S. history when maternal death rates were highest for Black women due to lack of hospital access.
What is early-to-mid 20th century?
Programs educating women on prenatal and postpartum health.
What are community outreach or maternal education programs?
Sigma Gamma Rho’s program that addresses maternal and infant health in Black communities.
What is Project Cradle Care?
The leading cause of maternal death in the U.S. for Black women.
What is cardiovascular disease?
Stress caused by racism and discrimination that negatively impacts maternal outcomes.
What is weathering?
Decades-long practice limiting Black women’s access to reproductive healthcare.
What is segregation in hospitals and clinics?
National movement advocating for safe motherhood, especially for Black women.
What is Black Maternal Health Week or Black Mamas Matter Alliance?
Types of events hosted under Project Cradle Care to educate and support mothers.
What are workshops, health fairs, and educational campaigns?
The approximate number of pregnancy-related deaths each year in the U.S.
What is 700–900 deaths per year?
A key social determinant that contributes to maternal health disparities.
What is access to quality healthcare?
A historic factor that has caused mistrust of the medical system among Black women.
What is the legacy of medical experimentation on Black women?
Professional support improving maternal outcomes and providing culturally competent care.
Sigma Gamma Rho’s initiative to connect mothers with healthcare resources and support.
What is prenatal and postpartum care support?
The percentage of maternal deaths that are preventable in the U.S.
What is more than 80%.
The leading complication in childbirth linked to delayed or inadequate care.
What is postpartum hemorrhage?
Term for policies or practices creating unequal access to care based on race.
What is structural racism?
U.S. legislation addressing maternal health disparities.
What is the Maternal CARE Act?
The approach Project Cradle Care uses to reduce Black maternal and infant health disparities.
What is community outreach, education, and advocacy?
The U.S. state with the highest Black maternal mortality rate.
What is Louisiana?
The type of bias in healthcare providers affecting Black mothers’ treatment.
What is implicit racial bias?
CDC system that tracks maternal mortality and highlights racial disparities.
What is the Pregnancy Mortality Surveillance System?
Strategy for reducing disparities by increasing Black representation in healthcare.
What is workforce diversity in maternal healthcare?
The broader goal of Project Cradle Care in Black communities.
What is to improve maternal and infant health outcomes and empower Black mothers?