Recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows a slight decline in maternal deaths, from 18.6 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2023 to 17.9 in 2024. Despite those numbers, maternal mortality remains an urgent public health crisis in Georgia and across the United States.
Black mothers and other women of color continue to face serious health disparities during pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum. Georgia has one of the highest Black maternal mortality rates in the nation, with rates estimated between 48.6 and 69.9 deaths per 100,000 live births. Black women in Georgia are also 2 to 3 times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than white women.
This is why Angela Aina, the co-founder and executive director of the Black Mamas Matter Alliance, is on the frontlines fighting for change. She says maternal and infant health disparities for Black women and their children in Georgia are complex and systemic.
Read this story now for free
To continue reading, sign up for our newsletter and get unlimited access to WABE.org
You can select your preferences for news and local content. We will never share your email address. Learn how your newsletter sign-up will support WABE and Public Media
