Changing the Narrative on Maternal Mortality: A Paradigm Shift That Can’t Wait

While the U.S. has become somewhat synonymous with advanced medical care, maternal care is lacking in quality. In fact, more American women are dying of pregnancy-related complications than any other developed country — and the US is the only country where the rate is rising. The U.S. has the worst record in the developed world, while nearly 60% of maternal deaths are considered preventable.

Despite groundbreaking evidence and media attention for several years, little has changed in the maternal mortality narrative. Due to the lack of progress from our nation’s hospitals and health systems, many quality organizations have intervened to put standards and requirements in place that will ensure hospitals and health systems follow best practices to rapidly and drastically affect the care mothers and babies receive. This research brief outlines where we are as a nation, where we need to go in terms of improvement, and, most importantly, how to get there.