A new study reveals that Alabama has the highest rate of maternal deaths in the United States, with 59.7 deaths per 100,000 live births. Mississippi follows closely behind. In contrast, California’s rate is less than a third of Alabama’s, at 18.5. Researchers estimate that if the national rate matched California’s, nearly 2,700 pregnancy-related deaths could have been prevented over five years.
The study, published in JAMA Network Open, examined CDC data from 2018 to 2022, focusing on maternal health complications during pregnancy and up to a year after delivery. Alarmingly, nearly one-third of maternal deaths occurred more than six weeks postpartum—a period often overlooked in standard care.
Cardiovascular disease was the leading cause of death, especially among late maternal deaths. Other major contributors included cancer, mental and behavioral disorders, and substance-related deaths. Accidents and homicides were excluded from the analysis.
Dr. Rose L. Molina of Harvard Medical School, one of the study’s authors, emphasized the need for continuous care. “Women need access to high-quality care from the moment of conception to a full year after birth,” she said. “Our study illustrates why we can’t take our eyes off maternal health.”
The findings highlight deep regional and racial disparities in maternal outcomes, with Southern states and minority communities bearing the brunt of preventable deaths. Addressing these gaps will require systemic changes in healthcare access, postpartum support, and public health policy.
See: “More women die after childbirth in Alabama than anywhere else in America, study finds” (April 10, 2025)
