Maternal health in the United States is in crisis. Childbirth is the leading reason for hospitalization, and cesarean delivery is still the most common surgery performed. Yet, maternal death rates in this country have doubled in the past 20 years. For every woman who dies, more than 100 others suffer severe complications, leaving over 50,000 women each year facing life-threatening conditions related to childbirth.
The U.S. continues to lag behind other developed nations in reducing maternal mortality, and this failure is tied to significant and persistent disparities. Black women are three to four times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women. Native American women, some Asian and Latina women also face disproportionately high maternal death rates. Severe maternal complications follow the same pattern, with Black and Latina women experiencing higher rates of life-threatening morbidity.
Beyond medical risks, social factors—such as income, access to quality care, transportation, and insurance—play a powerful role. Women who face these challenges are often least able to manage conditions like high blood pressure or diabetes that heighten maternal risk.
At Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, we believe that no woman should be left behind in this crisis. The Department of Women’s Health Services is responding with elevateHER—a comprehensive program and a call to action. elevateHER is designed to support all women during pregnancy and postpartum, with a special focus on those who are underserved, high-risk, or face barriers to care.
This innovative program takes a whole-person approach, ensuring both mother and baby are supported through integrated health care, health literacy, and strong community connections.
elevateHER’s key areas of focus include:
Through elevateHER, we are committed to protecting mothers, addressing inequities, and ensuring every woman—no matter her background—receives the highest quality of care during one of the most important journeys of her life.
