female patient on a hospital bed holding a child in her arms
By IHPL - April 15, 2026

Maternal mortality means a woman dies during pregnancy or within 12 months after giving birth.¹ The United States has one of the highest maternal death rates among developed countries.²˒³ Each year, about 700 women in the U.S. die from problems related to pregnancy, and many of these deaths could have been prevented. ⁴ There are also large racial differences. Black women are at the highest risk. They die from pregnancy related causes at a rate almost three times higher than White women.⁵

Many factors can raise the risk of maternal death. Some women have long term health problems like heart disease, obesity, or high blood pressure. Others develop serious problems such as heavy bleeding or infection during or after birth. Social factors also matter. Smoking, alcohol or drug use, unstable housing, low income, not having transportation, and inability to obtain food all make pregnancy less safe. In recent years, mental health conditions have become the leading cause of maternal death. As such, mental health conditions must be addressed along with other challenges.

One important way to prevent maternal death is to support good maternal health before, during, and after pregnancy. Monitoring must continue for a full 12 months after birth. The obstetric specialist, primary care provider, and patient must work together to improve outcomes. Patient education, a tool that empowers patients, must be given in a clear, respectful, and culturally sensitive manner. Patients should learn how to manage their health conditions and know steps they can take to stay safe. Such activities may include exercising, monitoring blood pressure, quitting smoking, or checking the blood sugar levels.

Premature birth affects about 10% of babies born in the United States, but the rates are different across groups. About 9.3% of babies born to White women are premature compared with 10.2% for Hispanic women and 14.4% for Black women.⁶ Many of the same factors that lead to maternal death also cause premature birth. In addition, where people live raises the risks of premature births. For example, Black and Hispanic women live in areas that do not have enough high risk pregnancy specialists, which increases the risk of early delivery.

Several programs work to lower maternal deaths and prevent premature births. One example is the Maternal Mortality Review Committee (MMRC). These committees study maternal deaths in each state and find ways to prevent them. They help improve care by collecting data, sharing best practices, identifying risks, and recommending changes that remove barriers to health care. Also, the renewal of SB 2621, the Preventing Maternal Deaths Reauthorization Act, would provide funding for education and research from 2026 to 2030, supporting ongoing efforts to prevent maternal deaths.7

Another bill, the PREEMIE Reauthorization Act (S. 1562), focuses on preventing premature birth and infant death through education, research, and data collection. It also addresses social and economic factors that increase the risk of prematurity. Funding for this program would also be effective from 2026 to 2030 if enacted.8

Reducing maternal deaths and premature births is a shared responsibility among patients, primary care providers, and obstetric specialists. Working together helps ensure safe, well-coordinated, consistent, and patient centered care. Patients must feel confident speaking up about their concerns, and this happens when they receive clear and culturally sensitive education. Because many Black and Hispanic women live in areas with limited access to specialized care, hospitals and clinics must work together. Partnerships with regional hospitals that care for high risk patients should be in place to support easy consultation and smooth transfer of patients when needed. Together, we can improve maternal health and prevent premature births. Better care, better births.

Co-Author Bios

Debbie Nkumba-Simwaka, DNP, CNS, RN, NPD-BC

Dr. Nkumba Simwaka is a Critical Care Educator at Loma Linda University Health staff development, where she leads the training of newly hired staff and provides ongoing professional development for experienced clinicians. She also serves as an associate professor of Health Policy at the Loma Linda University School of Nursing. Her primary interests center on health policy and its influence on population health, with a commitment to advancing access to high quality, equitable, and culturally competent healthcare for all. Her doctoral study examined strategies for supporting healthcare providers in delivering culturally competent care to transgender populations.

Lisa R. Roberts, DrPH, MSN, FNP-BC, FAAN, FAANP

Dr. Roberts is a Professor and the Research Director at the School of Nursing, with a secondary appointment in the Division of Interdisciplinary Studies in the School of Behavioral Health. She is a Fellow of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners and the American Academy of Nursing. Her primary research interest concerns maternal health and sickle cell disease. Her research interests also include mixed methods and community-based self-help interventions, addressing issues impacting health disparities and vulnerable populations. Her clinical focus as a Family Nurse Practitioner is prevention and primary care.

References:

  1. CDC Maternal Mortality Prevention (2024). Retrieved 1/14/2026 @ https://www.cdc.gov/maternal-mortality/preventing-pregnancy-related-deaths/index.html.
  2. Wiser K., Murphy C., Thomas, M. (2024). Prioritizing maternal mental health in addressing morbidity and mortality. JAMA Psychiatry, 81(5), 521-526. DOI: 10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2023.5648.
  3. Chinn, J., Eisenberg, E., Dickerson, S., King, R., Chakhtoura, N., Lim, I, Grantz, K., Lamar, C., Bianchi, D (2020). Maternal mortality in the United States: research gaps, opportunities, and priorities. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. 223(4):486-492.e6. doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2020.07.021.
  4. CDC. gov (2019). Vital Signs: Pregnancy-Related Deaths, United States, 2011–2015, and Strategies for Prevention, 13 States, 2013–2017. Mortality weekly report. 68(18);423–429. Retrieved 1/14/2026 @ http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/68/wr/mm6818e.1/html.
  5. Lu, M (2018). Reducing maternal mortality in the United States. JAMA, 320;(12):1237-1238. doi:10.1001/jama.2018.11652.
  6. ACOG practice bulletin, number 234 (2021). Prediction and prevention of spontaneous preterm birth. Obstetrics and Gynecology, 138(2), 65- 90. DOI: 10.1097/AOG.0000000000004479
  7. U.S. Congress. (2025). S. 2621: Preventing Maternal Deaths Reauthorization Act (119th Cong.). https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/2621.
  8. U.S. Congress. (2025). S. 1562: PREEMIE Reauthorization Act of 2025 (119th Cong.). https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/1562.