Abstract
The maternal mortality rate in the United States is historically high compared to that of other Western nations. In 2021, there were 33 maternal deaths during or after pregnancy per 100,000 births in the United States, compared to just 9 per 100,000 births in France. In the United States, this prevalence also varies significantly by race and ethnicity. According to the most recent statistics, in 2023, nationwide, Black women were three times more likely to die during or within the year following their pregnancy than White women (50 versus 14 per 100,000 births). This excess maternal mortality among Black women is observed at all geographic levels, as illustrated by the case of New York City and New York State. This article provides an overview of this alarming situation, for which public authorities are attempting to find solutions. The article also explores the many economic, sociodemographic, and biological factors contributing to this tragic disparity between Black and white women, which also illustrates the broader persistence of significant disparities between Black and white populations in the United States.