Beyond flowers and cards: How health care leaders can transform America's maternal health crisis

This Mother's Day, as millions of Americans purchase flowers and sentimental cards, thousands of pregnant women will face a health care system that puts their lives unnecessarily at risk. Despite our nation's wealth and medical advances, we continue to maintain the troubling distinction of having the highest maternal mortality rate among developed countries.

In 2023, the U.S. maternal mortality rate decreased to 18.6 deaths per 100,000 live births, down from 22.3 in 2022—an improvement, but still alarmingly high compared to our global peers.  The disparity is particularly pronounced for Black women, whose mortality rate of 50.3 deaths per 100,000 live births remains significantly higher than rates for white (14.5), Hispanic (12.4), and Asian (10.7) women.

These statistics aren't just clinical data points—they represent mothers, daughters, sisters, and partners whose deaths were largely preventable. They reveal a health care system that too often prioritizes standardization over personalization, particularly for women from marginalized communities.

The hospital experience fundamentally shapes maternal outcomes. When obstetric units prioritize efficiency over individualized care, women receive interventions they may not need without fully understanding their options. The institutional pressure to maintain patient turnover can transform what should be a profound life event into a medical procedure to be managed.

Yet innovative approaches are emerging within hospital systems nationwide. Some institutions are integrating midwives and doulas into their care teams, redesigning labor and delivery units to promote calm, and implementing trauma-informed practices that acknowledge women's diverse needs and previous health care experiences. These changes not only enhance patient satisfaction but have been linked to improved clinical outcomes and reduced costs—a rare win-win in today's health care landscape.

Recent policy developments further underscore the national urgency around maternal health. In November 2024, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services introduced new baseline health and safety requirements for hospitals providing obstetrical services, establishing the "first-ever maternal health and safety standards for hospitals." Additionally, in January 2025, the Transforming Maternal Health Model was launched, aiming to provide technical support to state Medicaid agencies in addressing the comprehensive needs of mothers during pregnancy and postpartum.

Despite these advancements, significant challenges remain. The recent restructuring at the Department of Health and Human Services, including the creation of the Administration for a Healthy America, has consolidated several agencies, including maternal health programs, raising questions about how these vital services will be prioritized and delivered going forward.

As health care leaders, we must move from acknowledgment to action. We possess the knowledge, tools, and emerging policy frameworks to transform maternal care. What's needed now is the collective will to elevate this issue beyond political divides and make it a national priority. Success requires hospitals to rethink care delivery models, insurers to reimagine payment structures, and communities to strengthen support networks for new mothers.

This Mother's Day, let's move beyond symbolic gestures. Let's commit to creating health care systems that truly value women's lives, with dignity, respect, and evidence-based care that reflects the profound importance of maternal wellbeing. The mothers who sustain our society deserve nothing less than our unwavering commitment to their health and safety.

By Stacey B. Lee, professor of practice, Johns Hopkins Carey Business School & Bloomberg School of Public Health