Maternal Mortality and Black Infant Deaths on the Rise in the US, CDC Reports

New data from the CDC shows a rise in maternal mortality and deaths of Black infants in the US, with Black mothers experiencing more than double the national average of maternal deaths. Factors contributing to these disparities include social determinants of health, chronic conditions, and variations in the quality of care. The deaths of Black infants also spiked during the pandemic, with indirect effects such as exacerbation of housing and food insecurity, unemployment, and changes in healthcare access potentially contributing to the increase.