Maternal Justice
Maternal Mortality Crisis
The United States has the worst maternal death rates of any developed country. Black women are three to four times more likely to die from pregnancy complications than white women, independent of age, parity or education. Every year in this country, 700 - 900 women die from pregnancy or childbirth-related causes, and some 65,000 suffer severe complications. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 60 percent of maternal deaths in this country are preventable. And, according to the World Health Organization, we are the ONLY industrialized nation in the world where maternal deaths are rising, not falling.
Our team continues to work hard to make maternal mortality, and specifically the crisis in Black maternal health a key issue for leaders on the local, state, and national levels. Check out our factsheet to learn more about why we must address maternal mortality and morbidity in the United States.
Visit here for monthly Maternal Justice Legislative & Policy Updates!
Our Wins
Congress passed the Preventing Maternal Deaths Act, in December of 2018. This was an incredible, powerful and groundbreaking win for pregnant women and moms throughout our country! And it happened because of our incredible MomsRising members.
Standing Up for Maternal Health at Mom Congress 2019
On Twitter? Please join us for our monthly #MaternalJustice Twitter chats, last Monday of every month at 8-9pm ET. Search and follow the hashtag #MaternalJustice on Twitter for information and discussion.
Blog posts
Take Action
Our approach to public safety is not working for children, for families, and particularly for Black and brown communities that have been devastated by mental health and substance use health crises, and criminalization. Pass the People’s Response Act Now!
The U.S. is the deadliest place to give birth out of any high-income country. There has never been comprehensive federal action to solve our maternal crisis until the Black Maternal Health Momnibus. Urge Congress to support this vital legislation!
Keenan Anderson was killed at the hands of LAPD for trying obtain help for a non-violent event. Instead of treating him like the innocent man he was, the LAPD tased Keenan until he went into cardiac arrest and died. Keenan was an educator in the community and deserves justice. Join MomsRising to demand LA Mayor Bass not reappoint current LA Police Chief Moore.
Police violence continues to destroy and erode our communities on a daily basis.In 2023 alone, there have been only 11 days where the police have not killed a civilian². According to current mappings of police violence, 2023 is at the same rate of police killings as 2022 and is expected to surpass the total from 2022. MomsRising wants to hear your story about safety and policing in your communities and what you want to change. These stories are a chance to show legislators the real impacts of policing and the importance of investing in communities.
