By Angela Stanton King: The ability to bring life into this world should be a moment of joy, yet for too many women in America, pregnancy and childbirth come with fear and unnecessary risk. The state of maternal health in this country is unacceptable, with rising mortality rates, systemic barriers to care, and disparities that disproportionately affect Black women.
The U.S. has one of the highest maternal mortality rates among developed nations, and Georgia ranks among the worst states. More than 80% of maternal deaths in the U.S. are preventable, yet women continue to die from conditions like preeclampsia, hemorrhaging, and postpartum depression. If we truly value mothers and families, we must take immediate action to address this crisis.
The Reality of Maternal Health in America
Women in the U.S. are dying due to:
• Lack of Access to Care – Many women live in “maternity care deserts” where hospitals have closed labor and delivery units, forcing them to travel hours for prenatal and emergency care.
• Healthcare Disparities – Socioeconomic status, race, and geography determine the level of care a woman receives.
• Postpartum Neglect – The healthcare system often stops supporting mothers shortly after childbirth, even though complications can arise for months.
• Medical Bias and Discrimination – Women’s pain and symptoms are frequently dismissed, leading to delays in treatment and preventable deaths.
While maternal health affects all women, Black women face an even graver reality.
The Black Maternal Health Crisis
Black women in America are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than white women. This is not a biological issue—it’s a result of racism in healthcare, economic disparities, and chronic stress.
Even when controlling for income and education, Black women still experience worse maternal outcomes. Serena Williams, one of the most recognized athletes in the world, nearly died after childbirth because doctors ignored her concerns. If she struggled to be heard, imagine the struggles of everyday Black mothers.
Key factors driving the Black maternal health crisis include:
• Implicit Bias in Medicine – Black women’s symptoms are often ignored or misdiagnosed, leading to fatal delays in care.
• Higher Rates of Chronic Conditions – Hypertension, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease—often untreated—worsen pregnancy outcomes.
• Economic and Social Barriers – Black women are more likely to experience poverty, housing insecurity, and food deserts.
What Can Be Done?
This crisis is preventable. Here’s what needs to happen:
1. Expand Access to Maternal Healthcare
• Fully expand Medicaid to cover pregnant women and extend postpartum care for at least a year.
• Increase funding for birthing centers, midwives, and doulas who provide culturally competent care.
2. Hold Medical Institutions Accountable
• Require implicit bias training for healthcare providers.
• Establish oversight committees to track racial disparities in maternal care.
3. Invest in Community-Based Solutions
• Fund grassroots organizations like Auntie Angie’s House that support pregnant women in crisis.
4. Address Economic and Social Determinants of Health
• Ensure affordable housing and access to nutritious food for expectant mothers.
• Support economic policies that help working mothers.
5. Increase Research on Maternal Health
• More research is needed to identify the most effective interventions for saving lives.
A Call to Action
This crisis is not just a women’s issue—it affects families, communities, and our nation’s future. When mothers die, children grow up without them. When Black women die at higher rates, it is a clear sign of racial injustice in healthcare.
We must demand better. We need policy changes, accountability in healthcare, and community investment. No woman should fear that childbirth could cost her life. No child should lose their mother due to medical neglect.
If we truly care about protecting life, then we must ensure that every mother—regardless of race, income, or zip code—has access to safe and respectful maternity care. The time for action is now. Our mothers deserve better. Our babies deserve better. And we must do everything in our power to make that a reality.
