New birth data from 2022 shows that racial and geographic inequities in maternal and infant health outcomes in the United States remain stubbornly high, despite increased focus on addressing these disparities. The National Center for Health Statistics report reveals that Black mothers and infants continue to face significantly higher mortality rates compared to their non-Hispanic White counterparts.
Maternal and infant mortality rates for Black individuals are approximately 2.5 times higher than those for non-Hispanic Whites. Black mothers were also 18 percent more likely to undergo cesarean sections in 2022. These disparities persist across various key health outcomes, including low birthweight and preterm births.
The data also highlights wide variations in infant mortality rates among states. For non-Hispanic White infants, rates ranged from 2.55 per 1,000 births in Rhode Island to 7.16 in Arkansas. For non-Hispanic Black infants, Wisconsin reported the highest rate at 13.48 per 1,000 births.
The report suggests that the U.S. may reach a significant demographic milestone in 2023, with non-White births potentially becoming the majority. Hispanic births now account for 25.5 percent of all U.S. births, while non-Hispanic White births have dropped to 50.2 percent, the lowest proportion on record.
Experts emphasize the need for policy action to address these persistent disparities. Senator Cory Booker has reintroduced bipartisan “Momnibus” legislation, proposing targeted measures to improve maternal and infant health outcomes for communities of color.
See “Five Questions Raised By The New 2022 Birth Data” (January 29, 2024)
