In a bold move to combat maternal mortality, California has unveiled an ambitious plan to halve pregnancy-related deaths by the end of 2026. Despite already boasting the nation’s lowest maternal mortality rate, the state recognizes persistent racial disparities that demand urgent attention.
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The initiative, dubbed “Strong Start & Beyond,” was announced on September 17 by California Surgeon General Diana E. Ramos, MD, MPH, MBA. It aims to tackle a crisis where Black women face a threefold higher risk of dying from pregnancy-related complications compared to white women.
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“Although California has made significant progress on improving maternal health outcomes, we’re still losing too many mothers, especially Black women,” Dr. Ramos stated. She emphasized that 80% of maternal deaths in California and across the U.S. are preventable.
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The plan includes innovative strategies such as an open-source, at-home pregnancy risk questionnaire available in English and Spanish. This tool will help individuals assess their risk level and guide them towards appropriate care pathways.
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Heart disease, identified as the leading cause of pregnancy-related death across ethnicities in California, will be a primary focus. The initiative also aims to increase awareness and access to existing resources, particularly for marginalized groups.
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Recent research has highlighted “unacceptably high” maternal mortality rates among all racial and ethnic groups in the U.S., with a concerning upward trend for Hispanic and Asian and Pacific Islander women from 2016 to 2019.
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Dr. Ramos stressed the importance of collaborative efforts, stating, “What we’re doing in California can be replicated everywhere — breaking down silos to work collaboratively, focusing on prevention, bringing in community voices, and putting mothers and pregnant people at the forefront.”
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See “California Pledges to Halve Maternal Mortality By Late 2026” (September 19, 2023)
