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Georgia Has a Maternal Mortality Crisis1

Georgia is one of the most dangerous states in America for a pregnant woman — even more so if that woman is black. In 2016, The Yale School of Public Health found that the pregnancy-related maternal mortality ratio in Georgia was 40.8 per 100,000 live births.

The maternal death rate for white women in Georgia is more than twice that for white women nationally. The maternal death rate for black women in Georgia is twice that for white women in Georgia and 6 times the rate for white women, nationally.

Georgia's abortion ban worsens the outlook for women’s health in Georgia. Rather than second guessing women's healthcare decisions, politicians should address Georgia's maternal health crisis.

Half of Georgia’s 159 counties have no OB-GYNs.2
Half of Georgia’s counties have no OB-GYNs.

Maternal mortality for white women in Georgia is more than TWICE the national average for white women.3

Maternal mortality for white women in Georgia is more than twice the national average for white women.


Maternal mortality for black women in Georgia is nearly SIX TIMES the national average for white women.4
Maternal mortality for black women in Georgia is nearly SIX TIMES the national average for white women.


Georgia ranks 50th out of 50 in maternal mortality rates in the U.S.5

Georgia ranks 50 out of 50 in maternal mortality rates in the U.S., with the worst outcomes for black mothers.

Georgia ranks 48th in the U.S. in healthcare coverage for women.6

Georgia ranks 48th in the U.S. in healthcare coverage for women.

Forty percent of all labor and delivery facilities in Georgia have closed over the last 20 years.7

Forty percent of all labor and delivery facilities in Georgia have closed over the last 20 years.

Georgia has a higher maternal death rate than Uzbekistan.8

Georgia has a higher rate of maternal deaths than Uzbekistan.

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1. Georgia maternal death rate, once ranked worst in U.S., worse now, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, September 28, 2018
2. WHEN THE STATE FAILS: Maternal Mortality & Racial Disparity in Georgia, Global Health Justice Partnership, Yale Law School, February 9, 2018
3. WHEN THE STATE FAILS: Maternal Mortality & Racial Disparity in Georgia, Global Health Justice Partnership, Yale Law School, February 9, 2018
4. WHEN THE STATE FAILS: Maternal Mortality & Racial Disparity in Georgia, Global Health Justice Partnership, Yale Law School, February 9, 2018
5. Georgia maternal death rate, once ranked worst in U.S., worse now, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, September 28, 2018
6. Georgia women deserve Medicaid expansion, Georgia Health News, November 13, 2018
7. Georgia women deserve Medicaid expansion, Georgia Health News, November 13, 2018
8. Georgia maternal death rate, once ranked worst in U.S., worse now, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, September 28, 2018

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