Recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reveals a troubling trend: the maternal mortality rate for Black mothers in the United States has not improved. According to the latest figures, the mortality rate for non-Hispanic Black women rose slightly from 49.5 to 50.3 deaths per 100,000 live births between 2022 and 2023. This rate is more than three times higher than that of mothers from other racial and ethnic groups.
The CDC’s National Vital Statistics System highlights that while maternal mortality rates for White, Hispanic, and Asian women have shown slight decreases, Black women remain disproportionately affected. The persistent high mortality rate among Black mothers underscores the deep-rooted health disparities that continue to plague minority communities.
The CDC report also points to the broader context of systemic racism within the medical system. A 2023 study published in The Lancet found that even Black women in areas with better access to maternal health care face a disproportionately higher risk of dying during or after childbirth compared to White women in underserved areas. This stark disparity calls for urgent attention and action to address the underlying causes and improve maternal health outcomes for Black women.
See: “Black maternal mortality rate isn’t improving, CDC data shows” (February 6, 2025)
