• Issues
  • Reproductive Justice and Health Equity

    • Maternal and Newborn Health

    •
    Rate expressed per woman. Data represent individuals aged 18–49. Race and ethnicity are recorded separately on birth certificates; individuals of Hispanic origin may be of any race. Please see Methodology for further details on race categories. Data source: CDC WONDER Online Database, 2023.
    Hover over a category to highlight it. Click on a category in the chart legend to eliminate it from view.
    Rate expressed per 1,000 population. Data represent individuals aged 15–19. Race and ethnicity are recorded separately on birth certificates; individuals of Hispanic origin may be of any race. Please see Methodology for further details on race categories. Data source: CDC WONDER Online Database, 2023.
    Race and ethnicity are recorded separately on birth certificates; individuals of Hispanic origin may be of any race. Please see Methodology for further details on race categories. Data source: CDC WONDER Online Database, 2023.
    Race and ethnicity are recorded separately on birth certificates; individuals of Hispanic origin may be of any race. Please see Methodology for further details on race categories. Data source: CDC WONDER Online Database, 2023.
    Preterm is less than 37 weeks completed gestation. Race and ethnicity are recorded separately on birth certificates; individuals of Hispanic origin may be of any race. Please see Methodology for further details on race categories. Data source: CDC WONDER Online Database, 2023.
    Low birthweight is less than 2,500 grams (5 pounds, 8 ounces). Race and ethnicity are recorded separately on birth certificates; individuals of Hispanic origin may be of any race. Please see Methodology for further details on race categories. Data source: CDC WONDER Online Database, 2023.

    Policy

    Updated July 25, 2025
    States can amend statute or the state constitution to codify the right to reproductive freedom and bodily autonomy.
    Interstate shield laws protect providers of reproductive health care and gender-affirming care who serve patients who traveled to other states for care from legal consequences due to hostile laws in the patient's home state.
    Data privacy laws can protect patient and provider confidentiality by restricting hostile digital surveillance and geofencing related to reproductive health data.
    Health insurance coverage for abortion care helps to offset costs for women and increase their access to care, and some states require abortion care coverage by private health insurers.
    Private insurance coverage of gender-affirming care promotes access to and affordability of critical health care.
    Medicaid coverage for abortion care ensures assistance for patients who need additional financial support to access critical reproductive health care.
    Medicaid coverage for gender-affirming care ensures access to critical care for eligible patients for whom the cost is prohibitive.
    State Medicaid coverage for maternal care postpartum promotes accessibility and affordability of care during a critical time frame when patients are at increased risk for maternal morbidity and mortality.
    Fetal personhood laws extend constitutionally protected rights to an embryo or fetus, granting the same legal rights as a person. These laws are crafted to supersede the constitutional right of the pregnant person and effectuate a ban on abortion.
    Some states allow for citizen-led reporting and impose civil or criminal penalties for traveling for abortion care or assisting someone who travels for care.
    State abortion bans restrict access to abortion care with gestational limits and many make exceptions only in extreme circumstances like rape, incest, or life-threatening conditions.
    Gender-affirming care bans prohibit a wide range of health care services such as gender transition surgeries, puberty blockers, hormone replacement therapy, and mental health services. These bans often target minor access to care.