FIGURE 2. Maternal mortality rates (MMR) in the United States compared with MMR in other countries.

Graphic depicting maternal mortality rate (number of deaths per 100,000 live births), as calculated by America’s Health Rankings, on the basis of the CDC WONDER data, a 5-year estimate from 2013 to 2017. To demonstrate the variability among states, numbers are depicted as approximate mortality rates in different countries around the world, as presented by the CIA World Factbook. Maternal mortality rate by state: https://www.americashealthrankings.org/explore/health-of-women-and-children/measure/maternal_mortality_a/state/ALL. Maternal mortality rate by country: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/fields/353rank.html.

Note: America’s Health Rankings defines number of deaths as the number of deaths from any cause related to or aggravated by pregnancy or its management (excluding accidental or incidental causes) during pregnancy and childbirth or within 1 year of termination of pregnancy, irrespective of the duration and site of the pregnancy, per 100,000 live births (5-year estimate). CIA World Factbook defines number of deaths as follows: the maternal mortality rate (MMR) is the annual number of female deaths per 100,000 live births from any cause related to or aggravated by pregnancy or its management (excluding accidental or incidental causes).

CDC, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; CIA, Central Intelligence Agency.

Chinn. US maternal mortality: research gaps, opportunities, and priorities. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2020.