North Carolina Officials Push for Legislation to Address Black Maternal Mortality Crisis
Black women in North Carolina die from pregnancy complications at nearly three times the rate of white women, prompting calls for immediate legislative action.
RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA — Healthcare providers, advocates, and politicians gathered at the state capital Wednesday to advocate for legislation and grant programs aimed at reducing pregnancy-related deaths among Black women, highlighting a stark racial disparity in maternal mortality rates.
In North Carolina, the Black maternal death rate reached 61.4 for each 100,000 births from 2019-2023, according to America’s Health Rankings. The maternal mortality rate for white women was significantly lower at 22.3 per 100,000 births during the same period.
The statistics reflect a national pattern where Black women die from pregnancy-related complications and conditions at approximately three times the rate of white women.
Medical Experts Identify Key Issues
Dr. Michele Benoit-Wilson, an OB-GYN in Raleigh, presented case studies during the event to illustrate the potentially deadly consequences of inadequate postpartum care, lack of access to addiction specialists, and doctors dismissing Black women’s reports of concerning symptoms.
Speakers at the gathering identified several factors contributing to the higher mortality rate among Black mothers, including implicit bias in healthcare settings, insufficient support for women after childbirth, and limited access to doulas and midwives.
“Most pregnancy-related deaths are preventable now with the policies, the funding, and the moral imperative that we, as citizens of this state, owe to every family who calls it home,” Benoit-Wilson said.
State Data Shows Prevention Potential
A 2025 state report examining maternal deaths in North Carolina from 2018-2020 found that 87% of these deaths were preventable, underscoring the potential impact of targeted interventions and policy changes.
State Senator Natalie Murdock, a Democrat from Durham, spoke at the news conference surrounded by supporters of the proposed legislation. The event highlighted ongoing efforts to address the maternal health crisis through state-level action.
Legislative Challenges Ahead
Despite the advocacy efforts and compelling statistics, legislation filed in North Carolina aimed at preserving Black women’s lives during pregnancy and childbirth faces new obstacles in the current political climate.
The Wednesday gathering brought together healthcare professionals, community advocates, and elected officials to build momentum for policy solutions that could save lives and reduce racial disparities in maternal health outcomes across the state.
