California Promises to Cut Maternal Mortality in Half by 2026

California’s surgeon general, Dr. Diana Ramos, introduced a new initiative on Tuesday that promises to cut the state’s maternal mortality rate by 50% by December 2026.

Currently, a mother in California loses her life to pregnancy-related complications every five days.

“Pregnancy is more than just a pivotal moment in a woman’s life; it is also a crucial indicator of future health. Complications like diabetes, hypertension, and depression can reappear later in life, often triggered by the conditions surrounding childbirth,” Ramos said. “We cannot stand idly by as preventable deaths continue to occur.”

Research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that 80% of maternal deaths are preventable.

Maternal health mortality disproportionately affects Black, Indigenous and other women of color. Black mothers are three times more likely to die compared to white women. In California, maternal mortality rates have worsened over the years despite advancements in healthcare technology.

Partnerships are a key anchor of the initiative, which the state has dubbed “Strong Start & Beyond.” Educational campaigns will help build awareness of resources available through advocacy organizations and churches. Other primary tenants include integrating mental health services, improving access to prenatal care, and increasing patient engagement in their health care decisions. Finally, the initiative aims to address the distrust that many marginalized communities have for the healthcare system.

“We know that systemic biases in healthcare have contributed to this distrust. That must change,” first partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom said. “Women deserve the right to be heard and seen during their pregnancies, and their lives depend on it.”

While the blueprint outlines a series of lofty goals, it’s light on details of how the state will accomplish them beyond promises of “collaboration.”

Eyes will be on whether California can achieve what is increasingly seen as a public health imperative — saving the lives of mothers across all communities.