The proportion of people who die while pregnant or within 42 days after their pregnancy ends has been steadily increasing in the US. Now, updated numbers from the National Vital Statistics System indicate promising trends in maternal mortality rates. About 22 people per 100 000 live births died of pregnancy-related causes in 2022, down from about 33 per 100 000 in 2021. Although maternal mortality rates declined for Black, Hispanic, and White people, Black people died of pregnancy-related causes at a significantly higher rate than any other group.
