Close
IntroductionKey FindingsHealth OutcomesSocial and Economic FactorsPhysical EnvironmentClinical CareAppendixMeasures TableMethodologyLimitationsReferencesData Source DescriptionsDemographic Group Definitions
2024 Maternal and Infant Health Disparities Data Brief2024 Maternal and Infant Health Disparities Data Brief - State Profiles2024 Maternal and Infant Health Disparities Data Brief - Measures Table2024 Maternal and Infant Health Disparities Data Brief – Infographics2024 Maternal and Infant Health Disparities Data Brief – Data Export
The United Health Foundation is pleased to release the America's Health Rankings® Maternal and Infant Health Disparities Data Brief, which sheds light on the breadth, depth and persistence of maternal and infant health disparities. Detailed analyses by demographic group and at the state level show persistent disparities in both health outcomes and drivers by race/ethnicity and education.
The data brief analyzes 14 measures — including measurements related to public health goals and benchmarks like Healthy People 2030. It underscores the urgent need for taking a holistic approach to understanding health, demonstrating how factors such as housing and health care access are linked to maternal and infant health outcomes.
Key insights from the data brief include the following:
- Nationally, American Indian/Alaska Native, Black and Hawaiian/Pacific Islander women have rates of maternal mortality that were 2.5 to 4.5 times greater than other groups.
- Between 2008-2011 and 2018-2021, infant mortality rates improved among some racial/ethnic groups — 15% for infants born to white mothers, 12% for infants born to Black mothers and 9% for infants born to Hispanic mothers.
- Nationally, low birth weight differed by race/ethnicity, with low birth weight among infants born to Black mothers 2.1 times higher compared to infants born to white mothers.
- Between 2010-2014 and 2018-2022, females ages 18-44 with a yearly household income of $25,000-$49,999 experienced a 45% increase in severe housing cost burden — a key indicator of health outcomes, including chronic conditions.
- In 2020, severe maternal morbidity was 2.0 times higher among Black than white mothers and 1.5 times higher among Black than Hispanic mothers.
- Among females ages 18-44, uninsured rates were 5.8 times higher among those with less than a high school education (28.4%) than college graduates (4.9%) in 2018-2022.