With the advancements of modern medicine, maternal deaths while giving birth or shortly after have become increasingly rare in many developed countries across the world. Despite the country's wealth and access to medical technology, the U.S. is a notable exception to this trend, as the country stands out among highly developed countries with an abnormally high rate of maternal deaths. Data published by the World Health Organization last year shows just how far the U.S. lags behind other developed countries in the fight against maternal mortality.
According to the WHO's estimates, the U.S. saw 21.1 maternal deaths per 100,000 life births in 2020, which is almost double the OECD average of 10.9 and significantly higher than the single-digit rates observed in large parts of Europe and developed Asia. Possible reasons for this high rate include disparities in access to quality healthcare, particularly for marginalized communities such as Black and Indigenous women who face significantly higher risks. Other contributing factors include chronic health conditions like hypertension and diabetes, which are widespread in the United States, inadequate prenatal and postpartum care as well as broader systemic issues within the healthcare system.
