Right now it isn't. Together, we can change that.
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The U.S. has the worst maternal mortality rate of any wealthy country — and it has doubled in the last 40 years. Black women die at nearly three times the rate of white women. The vast majority of these deaths are preventable.
Maternal mortality varies by more than 4× across U.S. states. Tap or hover any state for its rate, the U.S. comparison, and the country with the closest national rate.
The same gaps in care that kill almost 900 U.S. mothers a year also drive 41,000 stillbirths and infant deaths, 60,000 near-fatal complications, 430,000 babies needing intensive medical care, 720,000 mothers in mental-health crisis, and 1.2 million mothers left with lasting physical effects. The harm runs much deeper than the deaths.
Today, there are life-threatening gaps in care — before, during, and after pregnancy. We're closing these gaps by uniting leaders and families around a state-led playbook to scale proven solutions across the country.
These deaths come from a wide range of conditions — no single dominant cause. The common thread is that the vast majority are preventable per CDC Maternal Mortality Review Committees.
Research, partnerships, and policy work from across the Heartland — building the case and the coalition to cut U.S. maternal mortality in half.
Leaders, including HHS Chief Counselor Chris Klomp, convened to discuss how to address U.S. maternal mortality.
Read more ↗Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies launches with an ambitious plan to cut the U.S. maternal mortality rate by 50% in 5 years.
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A bipartisan call to cut U.S. maternal mortality in half within five years — and how states can lead.
Watch →HHS and Heartland Forward will exchange information, align strategies, and collaborate on evidence-based initiatives to reduce maternal morbidity and mortality and strengthen care across the lifespan, including before, during, and after pregnancy.
Read more ↗Olivia Walton, Maryland Governor Wes Moore, and Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders unveil a bipartisan five-year campaign to halve U.S. maternal mortality.
Read more ↗In an op-ed, Korie Robertson argues that with the vast majority of U.S. maternal deaths preventable, communities — including faith communities — have to step up.
Read more ↗Built to mobilize policymakers, business leaders, health care providers, faith leaders and Americans who care. We can make the United States the safest country in the world to give birth. No politics. No finger-pointing. Just action.
By aligning policy design with employer incentives and community infrastructure, policymakers can advance a model that strengthens families, supports businesses and promotes long-term economic stability
Maternal health shapes your workforce, your healthcare spend, and the communities you operate in. We translate the data into business cases and partnerships that move investment where it matters most.
By shifting from siloed OB-GYN care to a broader suite of maternal health providers, prenatal services become more accessible, with extended insurance coverage, and aligned with women’s needs throughout pregnancy and postpartum.
Preventing maternal death takes a coalition. These organizations are leading the research, advocacy, and direct support that save lives every day. We’re proud to share their work with our community — and encourage those who can to support them through donations and advocacy.
Advances safe, respectful, and equitable maternal health care through awareness raising, community-led grantmaking, and systems-change advocacy. Founded by Christy Turlington Burns.
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Fights the U.S. maternal mortality crisis through crisis response for affected families, public education, and legislative advocacy. Founded by Charles Johnson IV in honor of his wife Kira Dixon Johnson.
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Offers postpartum nurse home visits to all families with newborns, providing health assessments, guidance, and community connections at no cost to parents so every family has the strongest start possible.
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Provides need-based grants covering midwifery and holistic perinatal care for families who would otherwise lack access. Founded by Elaine Welteroth.
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Works to end preventable maternal death, preterm birth, and infant mortality through research funding, education, advocacy, and direct family support.
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Unites mothers across America to win paid family and medical leave, affordable, accessible childcare, and improved maternal health outcomes through nonpartisan advocacy and a grassroots network of 50+ local chapters.
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