Woodbridge, VA – Alex J. Carlisle, Ph.D., Chairman and CEO of the National Alliance against Disparities in Patient Health (NADPH), today proclaimed the organization’s support for Maternal Health Awareness Day as one small step in recognizing and addressing challenges faced by pregnant women and mothers in the United States, especially women of color and those with limited or no health insurance coverage. Dr. Carlisle invites other public and private entities wishing to help address this crisis to join the NADPH Maternal and Infant Mortality Health Disparity Initiative.

“Maternal mortality rates continue to rise in the United States and exceed those of any other high-income country; this is unacceptable, especially since more than 80% of all maternal deaths in the U.S. can be prevented,” said Carlisle. Maternal and infant mortality is a national crisis in this country. To help address this, NADPH is currently focused on a Maternal and Infant Mortality Health Disparity program/initiative in support of the Momnibus Act of 2020 and Representative Alma Adams’ Kira Johnson Act. This work seeks to provide evidence-based resources to raise awareness, education, and better predict & prevent maternal & child health disparities.” The nonprofit is working with an array of maternal & child health advocates across Federal, State, and Local government; academia; community-based organizations; and industry partners in support of this initiative. To learn more, contact Tammy Shepherd, Director of Community Outreach at NADPH by emailing shepherd@nadph.org.

Maternal mortality in the United States is characterized by marked racial and ethnic disparities. The differences in health insurance coverage and access to pre- and post-natal care play a role in driving worse maternal and infant health outcomes for people of color. In 2021, there were 1,205 maternal deaths in the United States, for an overall maternity mortality rate of 32.9  deaths per 100,000 live births, a significantly higher rate than in 2020. For Black women, that rate is 69.9 deaths per 100,000 live births, meaning Black women are approximately 3x more likely to die from pregnancy related complications than white women in the U.S.