Maternal Deaths Rose During COVID Pandemic, Especially Among Black Women

Rates have since returned to pre-pandemic levels in most groups, but they remain significantly higher for Black mothers.

Matt MacKenzie

April 20, 2026

Key Highlights

Maternal deaths increased sharply during the COVID-19 pandemic, with a more than 60% rise linked mainly to COVID-19-related causes.
Black women experienced the greatest and most persistent increase in maternal mortality, both during and after the pandemic.
Post-pandemic data shows early maternal deaths returned to pre-pandemic levels, but late postpartum deaths remain elevated for Black mothers.
The U.S. has historically had the highest maternal mortality rate among peer nations, with the pandemic exacerbating this crisis.
Policy measures like extended Medicaid coverage could be crucial in addressing ongoing racial disparities in maternal health outcomes.

69e6563a802c0a7d641dadaf Maternity Ward 2

A new study in Obstetrics & Gynecology found that “maternal deaths in the U.S. increased sharply during the COVID-19 pandemic, with the greatest impact seen among Black women.”

Rates returned to normal pre-pandemic levels for most groups since, but they remain “significantly higher for Black mothers.”

The U.S. has “long had the highest maternal mortality rate among peer nations, and the COVID-19 pandemic made the crisis worse.” Maternal deaths rose more than 60% during the pandemic; most of that increase was “linked to COVID-19-associated deaths.” By 2023-2024, “early maternal deaths had returned to pre-pandemic levels, but later postpartum deaths remained elevated.”

Both early and late maternal death rates “remained notably higher for non-Hispanic Black mothers.” This highlights “persistent racial disparities in maternal deaths” and the need to “evaluate policies that may influence maternal health…including pandemic-era measures such as extended Medicaid coverage under federal relief programs.”