KFF has released a new analysis outlining maternal mortality rates for every state and Washington, D.C.
KFF used 2018-22 data from the CDC's National Center for Health Statistics to compile maternal deaths and mortality rates. Maternal deaths are defined as deaths of women while pregnant or within 42 days of pregnancy termination. Only causes of death from or aggravated by pregnancy are included.
Nationwide, 4,295 maternal deaths were reported between 2018 and 2022, resulting in a maternal mortality rate of 23.2 deaths per 100,000 live births. The U.S. has the highest maternal mortality rate of any developed nation, according to The Commonwealth Fund.
To address this issue, CMS has proposed adding obstetrical standards for hospitals as part of its conditions of participation requirements. Hospitals and physicians have pushed back on the suggestion, arguing the approach is too punitive and could inadvertently hinder access to obstetrical care.
Below is a breakdown of maternal mortality rates by state.
Note: KFF expressed caution at making comparisons between states, as data for many states are based on small numbers and could be statistically unreliable. The organization suppressed data for several states, if mortality rates were based on fewer than 20 deaths. Variation in state rates is likely due to differences in the quality of maternal mortality data, KFF said.
Tennessee
Maternal mortality rate: 41.1
Number of deaths: 166
Mississippi
Maternal mortality rate: 39.1
Number of deaths: 70
Alabama
Maternal mortality rate: 38.6
Number of deaths: 112
Arkansas
Maternal mortality rate: 38.3
Number of deaths: 69
Louisiana
Maternal mortality rate: 37.3
Number of deaths: 108
Kentucky
Maternal mortality rate: 34.6
Number of deaths: 91
Virginia
Maternal mortality rate: 32.7
Number of deaths: 158
South Carolina
Maternal mortality rate: 32.3
Number of deaths: 92
Georgia
Maternal mortality rate: 32.1
Number of deaths: 201
Indiana
Maternal mortality rate: 30.9
Number of deaths: 124
Arizona
Maternal mortality rate: 30
Number of deaths: 118
Oklahoma
Maternal mortality rate: 29.6
Number of deaths: 72
Texas
Maternal mortality rate: 28.2
Number of deaths: 532
New Mexico
Maternal mortality rate: 28
Number of deaths: 31
North Carolina
Maternal mortality rate: 26.7
Number of deaths: 159
New Jersey
Maternal mortality rate: 26
Number of deaths: 131
Nebraska
Maternal mortality rate: 25.1
Number of deaths: 31
Ohio
Maternal mortality rate: 24.5
Number of deaths: 161
Florida
Maternal mortality rate: 24.1
Number of deaths: 263
West Virginia
Maternal mortality rate: 23.9
Number of deaths: 21
Missouri
Maternal mortality rate: 23.8
Number of deaths: 84
Kansas
Maternal mortality rate: 22.8
Number of deaths: 40
New York
Maternal mortality rate: 22.4
Number of deaths: 241
Maryland
Maternal mortality rate: 21.3
Number of deaths: 74
Nevada
Maternal mortality rate: 20.4
Number of deaths: 35
Idaho
Maternal mortality rate: 20
Number of deaths: 22
Iowa
Maternal mortality rate: 19.5
Number of deaths: 36
Michigan
Maternal mortality rate: 19.1
Number of deaths: 101
Illinois
Maternal mortality rate: 18.1
Number of deaths: 123
Washington
Maternal mortality rate: 18
Number of deaths: 76
Pennsylvania
Maternal mortality rate: 17.5
Number of deaths: 116
Oregon
Maternal mortality rate: 16.6
Number of deaths: 34
Massachusetts
Maternal mortality rate: 16.4
Number of deaths: 56
Colorado
Maternal mortality rate: 16
Number of deaths: 50
Connecticut
Maternal mortality rate: 15.6
Number of deaths: 27
Utah
Maternal mortality rate: 15.5
Number of deaths: 36
Wisconsin
Maternal mortality rate: 13.2
Number of deaths: 41
Minnesota
Maternal mortality rate: 12.3
Number of deaths: 40
California
Maternal mortality rate: 10.5
Number of deaths: 228
Alaska
Maternal mortality rate: Data suppressed
Number of deaths: 12
Delaware
Maternal mortality rate: Data suppressed
Number of deaths: 9
District of Columbia
Maternal mortality rate: Data suppressed
Number of deaths: 12
Hawaii
Maternal mortality rate: Data suppressed
Number of deaths: 13
Maine
Maternal mortality rate: Data suppressed
Number of deaths: 7
Montana
Maternal mortality rate: Data suppressed
Number of deaths: 17
New Hampshire
Maternal mortality rate: Data suppressed
Number of deaths: 11
North Dakota
Maternal mortality rate: Data suppressed
Number of deaths: 11
Rhode Island
Maternal mortality rate: Data suppressed
Number of deaths: 9
South Dakota
Maternal mortality rate: Data suppressed
Number of deaths: 16
Vermont
Maternal mortality rate: Data suppressed
Number of deaths: 1
Wyoming
Maternal mortality rate: Data suppressed
Number of deaths: 7