A pregnancy-related death is defined as the death of a woman during pregnancy or within one year of the end of pregnancy from a pregnancy complication, a chain of events initiated by pregnancy, or the aggravation of an unrelated condition by the physiologic effects of pregnancy (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). Women in the United States are more likely to die from childbirth or problems related to pregnancy than women in other developed countries. Improving the quality of medical care for women before, during, and after pregnancy can help reduce maternal deaths (Healthy People 2030). 

Considerations for Equitable Approaches: Maternal mortality Rates for Black women are significantly higher than rates for White and Hispanic women. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) 

Black and American Indian/Alaska Native women in the United States experience higher rates of pregnancy-related deaths than White, Hispanic, and Asian/Pacific Islander women. These disparities have persisted over time and across age groups; and they are present even in states with the lowest pregnancy-related mortality ratios and among groups with higher levels of education. The cause-specific proportion of pregnancy-related deaths also varies by race/ethnicity. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) 

Inclusive Language Recommendations: Recommendations for more gender-inclusive language recommends using "pregnant people" and "pregnant patients" or other wording as applicable when referring to general recommendations for pregnancy as not all people who are pregnant identify as women (National Institutes of Health).

This is a Healthy People 2030 Leading Health Indicator.