Evidence-Based. Clearly Delivered.
Evidence-Based. Clearly Delivered.
The National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) has released its maternal mortality data for 2024, offering a detailed retrospective view of maternal health outcomes in the United States. The report, released in March 2026 and based on data from the National Vital Statistics System (NVSS), outlines a stabilization in maternal death rates. While the absolute number of maternal deaths and the overall mortality rate declined slightly from 2023, the headline data reveals that these decreases were not statistically significant, and stark disparities remain regarding age and race.
According to the report, 649 women died of maternal causes in the United States in 2024, a slight drop from the 669 maternal deaths recorded in 2023. A maternal death is defined as the death of a woman while pregnant or within 42 days of termination of pregnancy from causes related to or aggravated by the pregnancy or its management.
The overall maternal mortality rate for 2024 was 17.9 deaths per 100,000 live births. While this represents a decrease from the 2023 rate of 18.6, the NCHS notes that this change is not statistically significant.
Perhaps one of the most notable findings in the 2024 data is the persistent disparity in maternal mortality across racial and Hispanic-origin groups. Black non-Hispanic women continued to experience a maternal mortality rate significantly higher than all other reported demographics. The 2024 maternal mortality rates (per 100,000 live births) by group were
While the data shows observed decreases in the mortality rates for Black, White, and Hispanic women, and an increase for Asian women between 2023 and 2024, none of these year-over-year shifts were statistically significant.
The report notes that age-specific mortality rates remain highly stratified, with mortality risk increasing significantly for older maternal age groups. In 2024, the maternal mortality rate for women aged 40 and older was 62.3 deaths per 100,000 live births. This rate is five times higher than that of women younger than age 25, who had a rate of 13.7. The rate for women ages 25 to 39 was 16.5.
The elevated mortality rate for the 40 and older demographic was statistically significant compared to both younger cohorts. However, the difference in rates between the <25 group and the 25 to 39 group was not significant. As with the overall data, the observed year-over-year rate changes within these specific age brackets were not statistically significant.
The 2024 NCHS data suggests a stabilization in maternal mortality patterns compared to the prior year, characterized by a slight, though statistically insignificant, reduction in overall maternal deaths. However, the persistence of significantly elevated mortality rates among Black non-Hispanic women and women aged 40 and older reinforces the need for continued focus on risk management, preventative care, and equitable healthcare access for highly vulnerable maternal populations.
CDC: Maternal Mortality Rates in the United States, 2024
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