04/17/2026
The numbers tell a story, and behind every statistic is a mother, a family, a life.
Black women in the U.S. are 3–4x more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than White women—and this crisis continues right here in Texas. In Tarrant County, the maternal mortality rate for Black women is 48.3 deaths per 100,000 births, one of the highest in the state.
Across Texas:
✨ Maternal mortality increased 63% in recent years
✨ 80% of pregnancy-related deaths are preventable
✨ Black women face nearly double the rate of severe maternal complications.
And the challenges don’t stop at delivery. Only 61% of mothers receive early prenatal care, and too many miss critical postpartum support, leaving conditions like hypertension, infection, and mental health concerns undetected.
Why does this continue?
Systemic barriers, gaps in care, and lack of access to culturally responsive providers are putting Black mothers at risk. This is more than awareness, this is a call to action. We must advocate, educate, and support one another to ensure safer pregnancies and healthier futures for our mothers and babies.
Because every mother deserves to be seen, heard, and protected.
JJOABMMA
