The National Institutes of Health Office of Research on Women’s Health – Maternal Morbidity & Mortality Web Portal

This web portal highlights research efforts at NIH and other U.S. Department of Health and Human Services agencies, provides key Federal resources, and contains a collection of other trustworthy, science-based resources relevant to maternal health across the lifespan for scientists, researchers, consumers, and advocates.

See also the infographic, Maternal Morbidity and Mortality: What Do We Know? How Are We Addressing It?

Kaiser Family Foundation – Racial Disparities in Maternal and Infant Health: Current Status and Efforts to Address Them (November 2024)

This issue brief provides an “overview of racial and ethnic disparities for selected measures of maternal and infant health, discusses the factors that drive these disparities, and provides an overview of recent efforts to address them.” Publicly available data was analyzed from the CDC WONDER online database, the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) National Vital Statistics Reports, and the CDC Pregnancy Mortality Surveillance System. Racial Disparities in Maternal and Infant Health: Current Status and Efforts to Address Them. The authors’ key findings include the following: 1) “Large racial disparities in maternal and infant health outcomes persist;” 2) “Maternal and infant health disparities reflect broader underlying social and economic inequities that are rooted in racism and discrimination;” and 3) “Increased attention to maternal and infant health has contributed to a rise in efforts and resources focused on improving health outcomes and reducing disparities in these areas.” 

The Century Foundation – State of Maternal Health 2025. Black Maternal Health Federal Policy Collective, April 10, 2025

This brief highlights the current state of maternal health and identifies new threats to making progress for moms and babies. It also presents feasible solutions to protect, enhance, and expand essential maternal health programs and services.” Updated data is provided about maternal health in the United States relating to maternal mortality and morbidity, risk factors, cesarian section rates, and maternity care. A variety of threats to maternal health are discussed including federal funding cuts, inadequate health care coverage, declining access to care, insufficient data, and direct attacks on reproductive health. Policy opportunities for addressing these challenges include maintain and expand Medicaid coverage, improve health insurance coverage, expand physical access to high-quality maternity care, protect and expand the maternal care workforce, collect and analyze data, defend access to mifepristone and misoprostol, and review legislative options.

Health Affairs – Black-White Inequities in Pregnancy-Related Mortality in the US: What Will it Take to Move the Needle? (May 14, 2026)

This Issue Brief examines the persistent challenge of population-level Black-White inequities in pregnancy-related deaths. An overview is provided of three US pregnancy-related mortality surveillance systems and their implications for understanding mortality prevention and reducing inequities. Racial differences in primary drivers of pregnancy-related deaths are discussed focusing on the need to strategically target prevention and treatment of cardiovascular conditions in Black birthing people, and mental health conditions and substance use disorders in White birthing people. An evidence review is provided relating to the effectiveness of selected strategies for reducing these inequities including expansion of Medicaid eligibility, elimination of abortion bans and restrictions, implementation of anti-bias training in clinical settings, and addressing structural inequality. The Brief concludes with the following four evidence-based policy and clinical recommendations to reduce Black-White inequities in pregnancy-related deaths: 1) expand access to high-quality universal health care; 2) increase monitoring for cardiovascular conditions during and after pregnancy; 3) remove federal and state barriers to abortion care; and 4) ameliorate the effects of structural racism and other forms of inequality.

March of Dimes Peristats™

“Aggregating data from various government organizations, PeriStats provides access to the most current maternal and infant health statistics on topics such as preterm birth, infant mortality, tobacco use, Cesarean births, and health insurance coverage. Detailed information by race, ethnicity, and maternal age for many indicators is also available.”

Circulation – Call to Action: Maternal Health and Saving Mothers: A Policy Statement From the American Heart Association (2021)

This article reviews milestones in the history of advancing maternal and reproductive health equity. Topics discussed include inequities affecting maternal health outcomes, social determinants of health, geographic variations, the impact of structural racism, additional marginalized populations, and the importance of screening for and addressing cardiovascular disease risk factors.  Selected national and state efforts and evidence-based strategies to improve maternal health are described. The following seven recommendations are made:  “1) Improving health literacy and public awareness on preconception care; 2) Achieving cultural competency and bias reduction; 3) Mitigating the impact of social and structural determinants of health; 4) Transforming payment and promoting value-based care; 5) Modernizing health care delivery infrastructure and expanding care coordination; 6) Improving public health infrastructure and digitally enabled health care; 7) Quality reporting of maternal outcomes and health metrics; and 8)  Expanding postpartum care.”

Journal of Women’s Health – Social and Structural Determinants of Health Inequities in Maternal Health (2020)

This article reviews the published literature about the social and structural determinants of maternal health.  The authors discuss root causes of inequities such as structural racism, as well as “social and political structures and policies in the United States … born out of racism, classism, and gender oppression.” To address inequities in maternal health outcomes, they recommend the following practice and policy solutions: 1) paid family leave; 2) health insurance coverage and scope; 3) respectful, culturally appropriate care; and 4) invest in communities.

Maternal Mental Health Leadership Alliance – Disability, Pregnancy, and Maternal Mental Health Fact Sheet (2024)

This fact sheet provides information designed to help facilitate the provision of more effective care to pregnant people living with disabilities. Topics addressed include the following: 1) Key Facts: Maternal Mental Health Conditions; 2) Key Points: Disability, Pregnancy, and Maternal Mental Health; 3) Types of Disabilities (Sensory, Intellectual and Developmental, and Physical); 4) Factors Impacting Perinatal Health Care for Women with Disabilities; 5) Challenges Women with Disabilities Experience; and 6) Strategies for Improving Perinatal Healthcare for Women with Disabilities.

Maternal Mental Health Leadership Alliance – Military, Veteran Women, and Maternal Mental Health (2024)

This Fact Sheet provides education and resources about Military and Veteran women, maternal mental health, risks and barriers to care, and the impact of military culture, stigma, frequent moves, and other factors. Topics addressed include the following: 1) Key Facts: Maternal Mental Health (MMH) Conditions; 2) Key Facts: Military and Veteran Women; 3) Military Maternal Mental Health; 4) Examples of Programs Supporting Pregnant and Postpartum People in the Military and the Department of Defense; 5) Women Veterans: Maternal Mental Health; 6) Examples of Programs Supporting Women Veterans; 7) Military Culture; and 8) Resources to Support Military and Veteran Mothers.

Maternal Mental Health Leadership Alliance – Resources for LGBTQ+ Individuals and Healthcare Providers

Health – Language Barriers in Maternal Healthcare: Effects on Prenatal Care Access, Perinatal Outcomes, and Strategies for Equitable Care (2025)

This article examines the role of language barriers in maternal healthcare and how they contribute to inequities in prenatal access, service delivery, and outcomes in the United States and other countries. Issues discussed include the following: 1) “Characterizing Language Barriers in Healthcare”; 2) “Theoretical Models Linking Language to Health Outcomes”; 3) “Global and Regional Perspectives on Prenatal and Perinatal Care”; 4) “Maternal and Perinatal Risks Associated with Language Barriers”; 5) “Access and Utilization of Prenatal and Perinatal Services”; 6) “Influence of Cultural and Linguistic Factors”; 7) “Challenges in Delivering Prenatal Care to Linguistically Diverse Populations”; and 8) “Strategies to Improve Access and Quality of Care” (e.g., “medical interpreter services, technology-driven solutions, community engagement in education, policy and health systems reform”).

Obstetrics & Gynecology – Transcending Language Barriers in Obstetrics and Gynecology: A Critical Dimension for Health Equity (2023)

This article examines how language and communication barriers can negatively impact the quality, experiences, and outcomes of obstetrical and gynecological care in various clinical settings (e.g., labor and delivery, perioperative care, outpatient clinics, inpatient services, and reproductive health). Two illustrative clinical cases are shared involving patients with limited English proficiency. The authors present a framework with actionable recommendations for addressing drivers of language-related inequities at the clinician level (assessing language needs, appropriate collaboration with interpreters, compliance with qualified bilingual staff certification), health system level (adhering to the National Standards for Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services, promoting language-concordant care and cultural brokering, prioritizing language-related outcome measures), and societal level (language access policies, funding, and reimbursement structures, xenophobia, discrimination, and racism, and disproportionate effects of negative social determinants of health).

Rural Health Information Hub – Rural Maternal Health

Significant geographic variations in maternal and child health equity exist across diverse urban, suburban, and rural settings in the United States. This website focuses onrural communitiesand information/resources are provided about 1) disparities related to rural maternal and infant health; 2) maternal health access and utilization (e.g., health insurance and access to obstetric services) in rural America; 3) workforce challenges in providing rural maternal health services, 4) additional barriers and issues (e.g., social determinants of health, transportation barriers, intimate partner violence, and substance use) affecting rural maternal health; and 5) policies, programs, or models that address challenges with affordability, accessibility, and quality of maternal health services in rural areas.

American Hospital Association – Best Practices for Equitable Maternal Care (2023)

This brief communication offers suggestions from health care leaders about ways organizations can foster equitable practices in maternal care at the individual and systemic levels. Three examples of hospital-based programs focusing on doula services and postpartum hypertension are described.

IRTH App – Birth Without Bias (B)

This “Yelp-like” platform provides “prenatal, birthing, postpartum and pediatric reviews of doctor and hospital care from Black and brown women.”