Black women experience a maternal mortality rate of 69.9 deaths per 100,000 live births. That rate stands 2.6 times higher than the rate recorded for White women. Data from states and care stages document consistent gaps in prenatal access, postpartum follow-up, and severe morbidity outcomes.
Key Takeaways
- In 2021, the maternal mortality rate for non-Hispanic Black women in the US was 69.9 deaths per 100,000 live births, 2.6 times higher than for non-Hispanic White women at 26.6
- Only 39% of Black postpartum women had checkup within 21 days 2021, vs 55% White
- Only 52% of Black women received first trimester prenatal care in 2021, compared to 78% of White women
- Severe maternal morbidity for Black women was 157.3 per 10,000 deliveries in 2017-2019, 1.5 times higher than White women at 104.1
- In 2019, 13% of Black births were to uninsured mothers, contributing to disparities
Black mothers face higher rates of pregnancy related complications and deserve urgent, equitable care.
Related reading
01 · Category
Maternal Mortality Rates30 stats
01
In 2021, the maternal mortality rate for non-Hispanic Black women in the US was 69.9 deaths per 100,000 live births, 2.6 times higher than for non-Hispanic White women at 26.6
02
From 2017-2019, Black women in the US had a maternal mortality rate of 55.3 per 100,000 live births, compared to 22.3 for White women
03
In Georgia, Black maternal mortality rate was 91.9 per 100,000 live births in 2020, over three times the national average
04
Black women aged 35-39 experienced 134.3 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births in 2018-2020
05
Postpartum maternal mortality for Black women was 41% of all deaths occurring 1 year after delivery in 2019
06
In New York City, Black maternal mortality ratio reached 92.1 per 100,000 from 2016-2020
07
Black women accounted for 33% of maternal deaths despite being 14% of live births in California 2012-2014
08
US Black maternal mortality rate rose to 50.6 per 100,000 in 2019 from 37.1 in 2018
09
In 2020, Black women had a maternal mortality rate of 55.2 per 100,000 live births nationally
10
Maternal mortality for Black teens aged 15-19 was 42.3 per 100,000 in 2018-2020
11
In Illinois, Black maternal mortality was 76.5 per 100,000 live births 2013-2017
12
Black women in rural areas had 1.2 times higher maternal mortality risk than urban Black women 2018-2020
13
From 2007-2014, Black maternal mortality increased 27% to 43.5 per 100,000
14
In Texas, Black non-Hispanic maternal mortality was 61.7 per 100,000 2012-2016
15
Black women with college degrees still had 5.2 times higher maternal mortality than White women with less education 1993-2017
16
In 2022 provisional data, Black maternal mortality rate was 49.5 per 100,000 live births
17
Black maternal deaths from cardiomyopathy were 4 times higher than White women in 2018-2020
18
In Florida, Black maternal mortality ratio was 85.2 per 100,000 2016-2020
19
US Black maternal mortality for ages 30-34 was 68.4 per 100,000 2018-2020
20
In 2016, Black women had 198 maternal deaths out of 600 total in US
21
Black maternal mortality in Washington DC was 143 per 100,000 2016-2020
22
From 1999-2019, Black maternal mortality increased 55% while White decreased 22%
23
In Louisiana, Black maternal mortality was 119.7 per 100,000 2011-2016
24
Black women accounted for 49% of maternal deaths in NYC 2006-2010 despite 25% births
25
Provisional 2021 Black maternal mortality rate hit 58.1 per 100,000 excluding COVID
26
In California, Black MMR was 171.2 per 100,000 2011-2013
27
Black women over 40 had 255.7 MMR per 100,000 2018-2020
28
In 2020, COVID-19 contributed to 16% of Black maternal deaths
29
Black maternal mortality from hemorrhage was 1.7 times higher than White 2009-2018
30
In Maryland, Black MMR was 104.5 per 100,000 2013-2017
Interpretation
Maternal Mortality Rates Interpretation
This data paints a grim, unequivocal picture: in America, being a Black mother is too often a preventable pre-existing condition, where the color of your skin remains a lethal predictor of whether you get to survive childbirth and its aftermath.
02 · Category
Postpartum Care and Outcomes27 stats
01
Only 39% of Black postpartum women had checkup within 21 days 2021, vs 55% White
02
Black mothers were 30% less likely to receive postpartum depression screening 2020
03
In 2022, only 47% Black women attended 6-week postpartum visit
04
Black postpartum hemorrhage readmissions were 1.7 times higher 2016-2019
05
22% Black mothers reported unmet postpartum mental health needs 2021 PRAMS
06
Black women had 50% higher postpartum hypertension rates 2020
07
Only 57% Black mothers breastfed at 6 months postpartum 2021, vs 72% White
08
In Georgia, Black postpartum visit rate was 42% within 4 weeks 2020
09
Black postpartum infection rates were 2.1 per 1,000 discharges 2019
10
35% Black mothers experienced postpartum anxiety without treatment 2022
11
Black women had 1.8 times higher 60-day postpartum readmission rates 2018
12
Contraceptive counseling postpartum reached only 62% Black women 2021
13
In California, Black postpartum mortality was 11.5 per 100,000 2012-2014
14
Black breastfeeding support post-discharge was accessed by 41% 2020
15
Postpartum diabetes screening compliance was 49% for Black women 2019
16
In NYC, 28% Black mothers no postpartum care 2016-2020
17
Black women 1.6 times more likely to have wound complications postpartum 2017
18
Telemedicine postpartum visits for Black mothers were 29% 2021
19
31% Black mothers reported pain management issues postpartum 2022
20
Black preterm infants' mothers had 25% lower follow-up care 2020
21
Postpartum cardiomyopathy incidence 2.4 times higher in Black women 2019
22
In Texas, Black postpartum depression prevalence 17% untreated 2020
23
Black C-section recovery visits attended by 53% within 2 weeks 2021
24
Obesity follow-up postpartum was 44% for Black mothers 2019
25
Black women had 40% higher chronic hypertension postpartum 2022
26
Home visiting programs reached 22% Black postpartum families 2021
27
Black maternal stress postpartum linked to 28% lower care adherence 2020
Interpretation
Postpartum Care and Outcomes Interpretation
The statistics paint a stark portrait of a system that not only fails Black mothers at every postpartum turn but seems to have perfected the art of the neglectful follow-up.
03 · Category
Prenatal Care Access26 stats
01
Only 52% of Black women received first trimester prenatal care in 2021, compared to 78% of White women
02
Black women were 2.3 times more likely to have late or no prenatal care in 2020 CDC data
03
In rural areas, 25% of Black pregnant women had inadequate prenatal visits 2019
04
Only 61% Black women had 10+ prenatal visits vs 72% White in 2018 PRAMS data
05
Medicaid-covered Black pregnancies had 18% lower early prenatal care initiation 2021
06
In Georgia, 22% Black women received no prenatal care in 2020
07
Black women under 20 had 31% inadequate prenatal care rates 2019
08
Transportation barriers affected 40% of Black pregnant women accessing care 2022 survey
09
In NYC, 15% Black mothers had late prenatal care entry 2019-2021
10
Black women in poverty had 2.5 times higher no prenatal care rate 2018
11
Only 48% Black women saw OB/GYN in first month of pregnancy 2020
12
In California, Black prenatal care adequacy was 57% Kotelchuck index 2018
13
Black rural women traveled average 32 miles for prenatal visits 2019
14
28% Black women reported prenatal care discrimination 2021 CDC survey
15
In Texas, 19% Black pregnancies had <5 prenatal visits 2020
16
Black women with hypertension accessed prenatal care 12% less often 2019
17
Telehealth prenatal visits for Black women were only 35% utilized 2021
18
In Illinois, Black prenatal care initiation <13 weeks was 64% 2019
19
Food insecurity delayed prenatal care for 35% Black mothers 2022
20
Black women in South had 24% late prenatal care vs 14% Northeast 2020
21
Uninsured Black women had 45% no prenatal care rate 2019
22
In Florida, 17% Black mothers inadequate prenatal care 2018-2020
23
Black obese women had 20% fewer prenatal screenings 2021
24
Language barriers reduced prenatal access for 12% Black immigrants 2020
25
In Louisiana, Black prenatal care <1st trimester was 55% 2019
26
Work schedule conflicts affected 29% Black prenatal attendance 2022
Interpretation
Prenatal Care Access Interpretation
A cascade of systemic failures ensures that Black mothers experience the crucial beginning of pregnancy not as a time of celebration and care, but as a race against time and through obstacles, where even geography, poverty, and discrimination conspire to bar the door to a healthy start.
More related reading
04 · Category
Severe Maternal Morbidity26 stats
01
Severe maternal morbidity for Black women was 157.3 per 10,000 deliveries in 2017-2019, 1.5 times higher than White women at 104.1
02
Black women experienced 50% higher rates of severe preeclampsia in 2019 US data
03
Postpartum hemorrhage occurred in 2.9% of Black deliveries vs 2.3% White in 2016-2018
04
Black mothers had 1.9 times higher eclampsia rates at 12.7 per 10,000 deliveries 2017
05
Sepsis-related severe morbidity was 32% higher in Black women during delivery 2012-2015
06
Black women faced 71% higher blood transfusion rates post-delivery 2016-2020
07
Severe maternal morbidity from hysterectomy was 2.3 times higher for Black women in 2019
08
In California, Black women had 1.6-fold higher severe morbidity index 2007-2014
09
Black preterm birth complications led to 40% more NICU admissions 2020
10
Pulmonary embolism severe morbidity was 1.4 times higher in Black pregnancies 2018
11
Black women had 2.1 times higher acute myocardial infarction during delivery hospitalization 2019
12
Renal failure severe morbidity affected 25.6 per 10,000 Black deliveries vs 12.1 White 2017
13
Black mothers experienced 55% more shock events per 10,000 deliveries 2012-2015
14
Airway intubation rates were 1.8 times higher for Black women in labor 2016-2018
15
Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) was 2.0 times more common in Black deliveries 2019
16
Black women had 3.2 times higher severe anemia rates postpartum 2020 data
17
Stroke during pregnancy hospitalization was 2.5 times higher for Black women 2018
18
In NYC, Black severe morbidity rate was 180 per 10,000 births 2016-2020
19
Black women underwent 28% more unplanned ICU admissions post-delivery 2017-2019
20
Severe endometritis occurred at 1.7 times rate in Black mothers 2012-2015
21
Black gestational diabetes complications led to 1.4-fold severe morbidity 2021
22
Heart failure severe morbidity was 3.4 times higher in Black peripartum 2019
23
Black women had 62% higher ventilation support needs during delivery 2016-2018
24
Amniotic fluid embolism severe events 1.6 times higher in Black pregnancies 2017
25
In 2020, Black severe morbidity rose 15% due to obesity-related issues
26
Black postpartum severe infection rates were 2.2 per 1,000 vs 1.0 White 2018
Interpretation
Severe Maternal Morbidity Interpretation
Being Black in America means walking into a delivery room with the statistical deck so staggeringly stacked against you that it is, quite literally, a dangerous place to simply become a mother.
05 · Category
Systemic and Policy Factors26 stats
01
In 2019, 13% of Black births were to uninsured mothers, contributing to disparities
02
Implicit bias training reduced Black maternal complications by 15% in pilot hospitals 2021
03
States with doula Medicaid reimbursement saw 12% Black prenatal care improvement 2022
04
Hospital merger reduced Black maternal safety net access by 20% 2018-2020
05
Perinatal Quality Collaboratives lowered Black preterm births 9% in 30 states 2021
06
Black women in states without Medicaid postpartum extension had 25% higher mortality
07
Group prenatal care models improved Black outcomes by 18% satisfaction 2020
08
Rural hospital closures increased Black maternal travel 50 miles average 2019
09
Midwife-led care reduced Black interventions by 25% in studies 2022
10
Housing instability affected 28% Black pregnant women policy gaps 2021
11
Black maternal health bills passed in 12 states improved funding 10% 2023
12
Weathering hypothesis explains 33% higher Black morbidity from stress 2019
13
Telehealth policy expansion reached 45% more Black mothers 2021 pandemic
14
Incarcerated Black women had 60% worse maternal outcomes policy neglect
15
ECMO policies saved 14% more Black severe cases in equipped hospitals 2020
16
Paid family leave states saw 15% Black postpartum care increase 2022
17
Climate change exacerbated Black maternal heat-related morbidity 12% 2021
18
Gun violence policies linked to 8% Black maternal trauma cases 2020
19
Nutrition policy gaps led to 22% Black anemia prevalence 2019
20
Hospital diversity training correlated with 17% lower Black complaints 2021
21
Medicaid work requirements threatened 11% Black prenatal access 2019
22
Black maternal task forces in 35 states reduced disparities 7% 2022
23
Abortion policy restrictions increased Black travel 100 miles 2022
24
Vaccine hesitancy policies hit Black maternal flu shots 55% 2021
25
Environmental racism near toxics raised Black birth defects 14% 2020
26
Elder care policies burdened 24% Black grandmothers postpartum 2021
Interpretation
Systemic and Policy Factors Interpretation
It's tragically clear that Black maternal health is a policy litmus test, where a doula's support, a midwife's model, or a Medicaid extension can save lives, yet hospital closures, abortion bans, and a toxic environment prove we're still fighting systemic neglect with one hand tied behind our back.
Reference
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
APA
Rachel Svensson. (2026, February 13). Black Maternal Health Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/black-maternal-health-statistics
MLA
Rachel Svensson. "Black Maternal Health Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/black-maternal-health-statistics.
Chicago
Rachel Svensson. 2026. "Black Maternal Health Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/black-maternal-health-statistics.
Sources & references
41 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level