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accessHealthNews.net
September 2025
Volume 11 | Issue No. 100
The numbers are stark and unforgiving,
but behind each statistic is a mother,
daughter, or sister whose life was cut
short. While overall maternal mortality
rates in the United States showed signs
of improvement in 2023, the experience
for Black women told a dramatically
different story—one of dreams deferred
and families shattered. According to
the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention's (CDC) National Vital
Statistics System, the maternal mortality
rate for Black women rose to 50.3 deaths
per 100,000 live births in 2023, while
overall maternal mortality declined.
This widens opportunities for meaningful
change—chances to ensure that every
woman, regardless of her background,
receives the care and support she
deserves during one of life's most
important journeys.
Behind these figures lies the incredible
strength of Black mothers who navigate
complex challenges while bringing new
life into the world, often despite barriers
that shouldn't exist in the first place.
High blood pressure, a condition that
affects millions of Americans, becomes
particularly dangerous during pregnancy
and the postpartum period. For Black
women, this risk is magnified by a health
care system that has historically failed
to provide equitable care, creating a
perfect storm of preventable tragedies.
The Numbers Tell a Devastating Story
The disparities in maternal health
outcomes are not subtle variations—
they represent profound inequities that
persist across multiple health measures.
pregnancy.
READ MORE
"Helping pregnant women and birthing people get acclimated to
and comfortable with regular blood pressure checks at home—
and sharing the results with their provider—is crucial to healthy
outcomes during labor and delivery."
- Tonia Wright,
Founder and CEO of Altruism, Inc.
