At 24 deaths per 100,000 live births, the United States has one of the highest maternal mortality and morbidity rates among industrialized nations. Breaking down the data by race tells an even more troubling story. Black women are at a particularly high risk of maternal mortality, with a maternal mortality rate more than three times as large as that for non-Hispanic white women, while Native American women’s rate is double that of white women.   

Public health agencies, experts, and advocates have responded to this crisis by launching numerous initiatives incorporating multi-disciplinary approaches to address opportunity reduce maternal mortality and morbidity. 

NFPRHA's Work

NFPRHA encourages family planning providers and administrators to play an active role in addressing the epidemic, including identifying and improving inadequacies and discrimination in health care settings.  

Policy & Service Delivery Resources