Pregnancy-related deaths in the U.S. increased sharply during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly among Black women, a new study reports.
Deaths remain significantly higher today for Black mothers, even though they’ve returned to pre-pandemic levels for most other groups, researchers reported in the journal Obstetrics & Gynecology.
“We saw a dramatic increase in pregnancy-related deaths during the COVID-19 pandemic, but the recovery has not been equal across all groups,” said senior researcher Dr. Lindsay Admon, an associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Michigan Medical School.
“We need to better understand what’s driving these differences so we can develop solutions that reduce maternal deaths and improve outcomes for everyone,” she said in a news release.
The U.S. continues to have the highest maternal death rates among developed nations, and the pandemic made the crisis worse, researchers found.
For the new study, researchers tracked pregnancy-related deaths for the two years prior to the pandemic (2018-2019), during the pandemic (2020-2022), and in the years immediately after (2023-2024).
There were 8,298 pregnancy-related deaths between 2018 and 2024, or about 32 deaths per
100,000 live births, researchers said.
Results showed that maternal deaths during or just after pregnancy rose more than 60% during the pandemic, from about 20 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2019 to 33 per 100,000 in 2021.
Most of the pandemic increase was linked to COVID-associated deaths, researchers found.
Early pregnancy death rates rose by 7.5 per 100,000 live births, and later pregnancy deaths by 3.7 per 100,000.
By 2023 and 2024, early pregnancy deaths had returned to pre-pandemic levels, but those late in pregnancy and after pregnancy remained elevated.
All death rates remained notably higher for Black mothers, researchers found.
“Our findings show that COVID-19–related deaths drove much of the increase during the pandemic,” Admon said. “They also highlight persistent racial disparities in maternal deaths.
While progress has been made, more work is needed, especially to reduce later postpartum deaths and improve outcomes for Black mothers.”
These results indicate the need for a review of policies related to pregnancy care, including those active before and during the pandemic, researchers said.
“There is an urgent need to understand how both pandemic and post-pandemic policies have affected maternal health,” Admon said. “This work can help guide public health and policy efforts to reduce pregnancy-related deaths and improve health equity for mothers, children, and families.”
Although the study highlights COVID-19 as a significant contributing factor to rising maternal deaths, the pandemic didn’t create the disparities affecting Black women. Rather, it exposed and intensified an already long-standing health inequity.
Black mothers are more likely to experience barriers to high-quality maternal care, including limited access to providers, insurance coverage gaps, and hospital closures in underserved communities.
Chronic stress associated with systemic racism can also drive poorer outcomes. Studies have consistently shown that prolonged exposure to stressors, such as discrimination, economic instability, and neighborhood disadvantages, can increase the risk of complications like hypertension, preeclampsia, and preterm birth. These conditions are among the leading contributors to maternal mortality in the Black community.
The healthcare system also contributes to maternal health disparities. Implicit bias from healthcare providers continues to impact how Black women’s symptoms are assessed and treated. Studies have shown that Black patients are less likely to have their pain taken seriously or receive timely interventions, which can ultimately delay life-saving pregnancy and postpartum care.
Persistent higher mortality rates among Black mothers underscore the need for better solutions to improve maternal outcomes. Addressing structural inequities in healthcare access, quality, and treatment is crucial to closing the maternal mortality gap.
For providers, these findings highlight the need for culturally responsive, patient-centered care throughout the entire pregnancy journey — not just during childbirth. Strengthening postpartum care — especially during the first year after birth, when most maternal deaths occur — is a key opportunity to focus on.
Providers can adopt the following practical approaches to better support Black mothers:
At the systems level, more investment is needed in anti-bias training, a more diverse workforce, and partnerships with community leaders and organizations already doing the work to support Black communities.
The study findings show that Black women continue to face higher maternal mortality rates. Improving these outcomes will require a multifaceted approach — better clinical care, public health policies, and community engagement. With targeted strategies and accountability, it’s possible to move toward safer pregnancies and healthier outcomes for Black mothers and their families.
More information
The World Health Organization has more on maternal deaths.
SOURCE: University of Michigan, news release, April 14, 2026
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