The maternal mortality rate in the United States is the highest of all developed nations and has been steadily rising since the 1990s. By definition, maternal mortality includes women who die during pregnancy, childbirth, or 42 days after birth during the postpartum period. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has deemed this climbing maternal mortality rate a public health crisis and the Biden administration has announced a call to action to improve health outcomes. Read more.