More women in the U.S. die during childbirth than in any other developed country.

Problem. Maternal and infant mortality are at a crisis point in the United States. Our systems create and exacerbate racial and economic disparities. Is not built to fully support families or acknowledge the intrinsic link between maternal and infant health — and that costs us in the long run. 

Solution. All expectant parents need access to care during and after pregnancy, family economic supports like WIC, SNAP, and paid family and medical leave, affordable child care, and programs that give their babies the best start in life. This is our chance to ensure the next generation grows up healthy and prepared to thrive in school and the workforce.

Call to action. Policymakers must invest in comprehensive policies, expanding health access to expectant and new parents and their kids, ensuring family economic supports, enhancing culturally sensitive care, and supporting early childhood and family services.

Sign this petition and join with the National Collaborative for Infants & Toddlers to support the critical public policy needed to support maternal health for all expecting parents and their babies. We will let you know when there is more to do to support important policy change. 

MAKING THE CASE

Disparities. It bears repeating. More women in the U.S. die during childbirth than in any other developed country. We are the only high-income country whose maternal mortality rate has actually risen over the past two decades. Black women are dying at an alarming rate — more than twice the national average of their counterparts. The disparities pregnant people of color face have a long-lasting impact on their babies. On average, 5.6 in 1,000 babies born in the U.S. will not survive to see their first birthday; mortality is nearly twice as high for Black infants (10.8 in 1,000 babies).

Access. Right now, far too many mothers and children lack access to the quality care they need. Alarmingly, the rate of uninsured children is now back on the rise after years of decline. Babies in families with low incomes and babies of color are the least likely to receive preventive health services.

Extend care. Today, nearly 25% of all U.S. expecting parents start prenatal care too late in pregnancy or do not receive the recommended number of prenatal visits — this number is even higher for pregnant women of color. To ensure mothers start and end their pregnancies healthy, we must expand access to Medicaid and CHIP during pregnancy and further into postpartum.

Expand care options. Culturally sensitive models like midwifery, group prenatal care, and doula support can mitigate disparities and improve the quality of care, particularly for people of color, who are discriminated against in the health care system and experience higher rates of disrespect and abuse.

Economic impact. Health coverage for pregnant parents reduces costly and traumatic outcomes for parents and infants, such as infant mortality and low birth weight. Children with Medicaid coverage have better long-term health, education, and employment outcomes than those uninsured because they can access preventative care, early detection, screenings, and treatment. This greatly reduces costly special education and health interventions as children grow.

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