The maternal mortality crisis in the United States has been well documented: U.S. women have the highest rate of maternal deaths among high-income countries, while Black women are nearly three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than white women are. But maternal deaths and complications may be a bellwether for the U.S.’s wider failures with respect to women’s health and health care.
Highlights of the report include:
- Among women of reproductive age (18-49) in high-income countries, rates of death from avoidable causes, including pregnancy-related complications, are highest in the United States.
- U.S. women of reproductive age are significantly more likely to have problems paying their medical bills or to skip or delay needed care because of costs.
- U.S. women of reproductive age have among the highest rates of multiple chronic conditions and the highest rate of mental health needs.
- Sweden, the U.S., Canada, and Australia are the countries where women of reproductive age are the least likely to report having a regular doctor or place to go for care.
Read the full report from The Commonwealth Fund here.
