March of Dimes Chief Medical Officer Dr. Amanda P. Williams Issues Statement on CDC Report: Maternal Mortality Rate Declines, But Racial Disparities Persist

ARLINGTON, Va., Feb. 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- A new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reveals that the maternal mortality rate in the US declined by 17% in 2023—a significant step forward—but our country remains the most dangerous high-income nation in which to give birth, highlighting the urgent need for continued action. In total, 669 women died due to pregnancy-related causes (18.6 deaths per 100,000 births), a sobering statistic that, while improved, still demands further efforts to end the maternal health crisis.

Even more alarming is the persistent racial disparity in maternal mortality. While rates for non-Hispanic White moms have improved and those for Hispanic and Asian women remain low, Black and American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) moms continue to face devastating outcomes. The maternal mortality rate for Black moms has returned to near pre-pandemic levels, with the gap between them and White moms widening from 2.5 times in 2019 to 3.5 times in 2023. This is unacceptable and confirms the urgent need for systemic changes to eliminate these inequities in maternal healthcare.

America's maternal health crisis is not just a statistic—it's a reflection of a broader system that is failing to prioritize maternal health, particularly for Black and AI/AN moms. We refuse to accept this reality and are committed to dismantling the systemic barriers driving these disparities to ensure every mother, regardless of geography, income, or race, has access to the high-quality care she needs.

At March of Dimes, we're leading the charge with research and data-informed insights through PeriStats, our free and publicly accessible platform. PeriStats aggregates critical maternal and infant health statistics from multiple government sources, offering the most current and detailed information across key demographics. This open resource supports policymakers, researchers, and healthcare professionals in making informed decisions to improve maternal and infant health outcomes.

March of Dimes is actively working to close these gaps and end preventable maternal deaths through programs including:

• Mom & Baby Mobile Health Centers® – Delivering critical maternal health services directly to underserved communities to improve access to care and education.
   
• March of Dimes Research Center for Advancing Health Equity at the University of Pennsylvania – Conducting groundbreaking research including exploring how postpartum care in NICUs can better support women's physical and mental health.
   
• Doula programs – Training culturally responsive doulas to advocate for and support moms from marginalized communities throughout pregnancy, birth, and postpartum.

Additionally, March of Dimes has been a leading advocate for policies that expand access to care, including Medicaid extension, which has played a vital role in improving maternal health outcomes by ensuring that more women have continuous coverage before, during, and after pregnancy. We also continue to push for increased telehealth services, workforce development, and robust data collection through maternal mortality review committees (MMRCs) to identify and address preventable maternal deaths.

While the progress reflected in the CDC's report is encouraging, it is nowhere near enough. America's moms—especially Black and AI/AN moms—deserve better. We call on policymakers, healthcare providers, and community leaders to take immediate and bold action to end this crisis and ensure that every mom has the chance to survive and thrive."

SOURCE March of Dimes Inc.