HHS Awards $65 Million in Funding to Fight Maternal Mortality

Despite spending the most on healthcare per capita in the world, the US has much higher maternal mortality rates than other wealthy nations, especially among Black and Indigenous patients. To address this long-standing problem, the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and its Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) has announced it has awarded over $65 million to 35 care centers.

According to the HHS Press Office, “HRSA’s funds will be used to implement innovative approaches to improve maternal health outcomes and reduce disparities for patients at highest risk. Black and American Indian/Alaska Native women are two to three times more likely to die of pregnancy-related causes than White women. Today’s announcement supports the Biden-Harris Administration’s Maternal Health Blueprint – PDF, a whole-of-government strategy aimed at improving maternal health, particularly in underserved communities.”

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(Source: HHS, May 19^th, 2023)