A new study reveals a sharp rise in preventable pregnancy-related deaths across the United States, with significant racial, age, and state-level disparities.

An increase in pregnancy-related deaths has been observed in the United States between 2018 and 2022, according to a recent study published in JAMA Network Open.

In 2015, the US maternal mortality rate was 26.4 per 100,000 live births, but Maternal Mortality Review Committees have reported that over 80% of deaths caused by pregnancy are preventable. These mortalities often occur with significant disparities, including a 2- to 3-fold increase in maternal mortality prevalence among non-Hispanic Black patients vs White patients.

“Given the increasing median age at childbirth and the decreasing number of live births observed annually, a more detailed characterization of the current US pregnancy-related death rates with age-standardized estimates would help guide tailored interventions necessary to reduce avoidable pregnancy-related deaths,” wrote investigators.