A new national maternity care report has revealed troubling disparities in how Black women receive care during childbirth. The Leapfrog Group, an independent national nonprofit organization that tracks hospital safety and quality, released its 2025 analysis finding that one in five hospitals across the United States report significant differences in cesarean section rates between non-Hispanic Black and non-Hispanic White patients.
This marks the first time such race-based disparities have been included in the organization’s comprehensive maternity care assessment, which draws data from more than 2,400 hospitals representing 80 percent of inpatient beds nationwide. The findings suggest that Black women are more likely to undergo C-sections at certain facilities, raising concerns about equity in maternal healthcare delivery.
While the report highlighted some positive developments, including a dramatic 73 percent drop in episiotomy rates since 2012, the persistent inequities in cesarean deliveries remain alarming. The national C-section rate for first-time mothers with uncomplicated pregnancies stands at 25.3 percent, but the variation by race at individual hospitals points to systemic issues in care quality.
“Transparency takes courage, and it is the critical first step on the path to real change,” said Leah Binder, Leapfrog President and CEO. The organization commended hospitals for making their data publicly available while urging continued efforts to improve maternity care for all patients.
See: “C-Section Rates Hold Steady, While Episiotomy Rates Drop in New National Maternity Care Report from The Leapfrog Group” (March 25, 2025)
