The U.S. maternal mortality rate continues to far exceed those of other high-income nations, despite a decline since the end of the COVID-19 pandemic.

U.S. Maternal Death Rate Far Higher Than in Other High-Income Countries

June 4, 2024

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Pregnancy and childbirth are far more dangerous for American women — especially Black women — than for women in other high-income nations. This continues to be true despite a decline in the U.S. maternal mortality rate since the end of the COVID-19 pandemic, a new Commonwealth Fund study finds.

Insights into the U.S. Maternal Mortality Crisis: An International Comparison ([link removed] ) examines maternal health outcomes across Australia, Canada, Chile, France, Germany, Japan, Korea, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Among the findings:

- Nearly two-thirds of pregnancy-related deaths in the U.S. occur after birth.
- The U.S. has a severe shortage of maternity care providers, especially midwives.
- The U.S. is the only high-income country surveyed that does not guarantee paid parental leave or home visits to mothers after childbirth.

The study’s authors say the U.S. could learn a lot from other nations’ approaches to maternity care, especially policies and programs related to postpartum support and workforce composition.

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