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
While sampling methods used by the data sources ensure estimates are representative at the state and national levels, limitations exist. Not all demographic groups were available for all data sources and measures. Additionally, at times sample sizes were too small to create reliable estimates. Data presented in this report were aggregated at the state level and cannot be used to make inferences at the individual level. In addition, while it is recognized that differences in factors such as existing physical and mental chronic conditions and access to postpartum care influence the health and well-being of the populations studied, limitations in data availability precluded their inclusion in these analyses.
To identify states meeting the Healthy People 2030 targets for maternal mortality (deaths), severe maternal morbidity and infant mortality (deaths), rates were compared to the Healthy People 2030 targets. Using this method, as reported in the brief, six states met the ‘maternal deaths’ target of 15.7 deaths per 100,000 live births, seven states met the ‘severe maternal morbidity’ target of 64.4 severe maternal complications per 10,000 delivery hospitalizations and 15 states met the ‘infant deaths’ target of 5.0 per 1,000 live births. Confidence intervals were not used when identifying states because they are challenging to describe in plain language and visualize for all audiences. However, confidence intervals provide an indication of estimate uncertainty. States falling within the 95% confidence interval for a given measure may have met a Healthy People 2030 target for that measure despite estimates that were unfavorably higher than the target. In addition to the states mentioned in the brief, the following states may have met their respective targets based on confidence intervals: maternal deaths — Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, West Virginia; severe maternal morbidity — Alaska, Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Mississippi, Montana, New Hampshire, Vermont; and infant deaths — Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Utah, Wyoming.
Language
Throughout this brief and State Profiles, America’s Health Rankings has used language and demographic group definitions consistent with the underlying data sources to ensure accuracy.
Inclusive language in public health is vital for ensuring that all individuals feel seen, heard and understood. Inclusivity in data collection is essential to ensure that the disparities that subpopulations of people experience are documented, analyzed and addressed. However, this must be supported by equitable systems accurately representing diverse populations in data collection, analysis and interpretation. Inadequate representation of populations may hinder the identification of trends and patterns within different demographic groups and limit the ability to tailor public health interventions to specific populations.