The maternal mortality rate in the United States has risen at an alarming rate, increasing by approximately 14% from 1999 to 2017 and surging by 58% from 2017 to 2024.1,2 Women of color and those in underserved regions bear a disproportionate burden, facing stark inequities in birth outcomes and access to quality care.
Limited access to quality prenatal care, provider biases, language barriers, and socioeconomic disparities further widen the gap in maternal health outcomes. Implicit bias in medical settings can lead to the dismissal of pain and symptoms reported by women of color, resulting in delayed or inadequate treatment. Additionally, financial constraints and transportation challenges hinder consistent prenatal visits, increasing the risk of complications. Many mothers are left navigating a complex healthcare system without competent, patient-centered support.
This escalating crisis highlights the critical need for targeted interventions—such as doula care—to bridge these gaps, improve birth outcomes, and foster maternal well-being in marginalized populations.
