Causes and measurement of maternal mortality
According to an article by Dilmaghani et al., the United States is the only developed country with an increasing maternal mortality rate. The article mentions different factors: an older age during pregnancy, obesity, more preexisting and additional illnesses, unintended births, C-Sections and suboptimal perinatal care, where women have four or fewer appointments during pregnancy (Dilmaghani et al., 2024, p.1).
Another reason for the statistical increase between 2003 and 2017 was the introduction of a new death certificate. It records whether a person was pregnant at the time of death, within the previous 42 days or between 42 days and one year before death (Dilmaghani et al., pp. 1-2).
Inequality in maternal health outcomes
Reports from maternal mortality review committees found that more than 60% of pregnancy related deaths could have been prevented (Dilmaghani et al., 2024, p.2). There are also clear racial differences. Between 2011 and 2013, the pregnancy-related mortality rate was 43.5 deaths per 100.000 live births for Black women, compared with 12.7 deaths per 100.000 live births for white women. Black women made up to 14.6% of live births but accounted for 37.9% of maternal mortality (Dilmaghani et al., 2024, pp. 2-3).
Healthcare systems and policy responses
One possible measure would be the introduction of better support for pregnant women. The California Maternal Quality Care Collaborative reduced maternal mortality in California by 55% between 2006 and 2013, at the same time the national maternal mortality rate increased (Dilmaghani et al., 2024, p. 3). In addition, Medicaid finances almost half of all births in the US. However, at the time described in the article, new mothers had to qualify for Medicaid again 60 days after giving birth. Because of that the article calls for Medicaid coverage to be extended to one year after birth to cover the high risk period better (Dilmaghani et al., 2024, p. 4).
Political influences on maternal healthcare
Political factors are also an important topic of maternal mortality. An article published by The Guardian in March 2026 shows that the maternal mortality increases in countries that strongly depend on development aid from the United States when a Republican president is in power. Republican governments often reduce aid for family planning. A study presented in the article found that cuts to family planning aid under Republican governments were associated with an 11% increase in maternal mortality. This is equal to around 45 additional deaths per 100,000 live births (Milman, 2026).
An article published by Time in April 2026 also discusses the general concern about political changes in maternal health. In 2024, more than one quarter of women of reproductive age with young children reported difficulties finding good maternity care. The article discusses the „One Big Beautiful Bill Act“, which includes large Medicaid cuts. According to this article, these changes are expected to leave more than 14 million additional people without health insurance by 2034 and at least ten million people could lose their Medicaid coverage (Psaki et al., 2026).
