Too many moms and babies are dying across the South.
Of the 1436 children that died in 2023 in North Carolina, more than half were under one. Black infants died at three times the rate of white infants in North Carolina in 2023.
In Georgia, in 2023 alone, for every 50,000 pregnancies, 23 women died from pregnancy related causes, a 46.2% increase from 2020, with nearly 90% of these deaths found to be preventable.
Moms and children across the South deserve better.
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North Carolina Snapshot of Maternal and Infant Health
Recent data reveals troubling trends in child deaths, persistent racial disparities in birth outcomes, and critical policy gaps that leave families without the support they need. Here's a closer look at where North Carolina stands—and where action is urgently needed.
North Carolina by the Numbers (March of Dimes Report):
Preterm Birth Rate:
10.7% of live births were preterm in 2023 (Grade D+). NC ranks 32nd in the U.S.Infant Mortality:
6.8 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2022; ranks 40th nationally.Maternal Mortality:
26.7 deaths per 100,000 births (2018–2022); ranks 25th in the U.S.Persistent Disparities:
Black birthing people experience 1.4 to 1.7 times the rates of preterm birth and infant mortality compared to other groups.
By investing in early childhood care, expanding access to mental health and maternal services, and adopting policies that prevent violence and support healthy births, we can reverse these trends. Bold, bipartisan leadership is needed to ensure every child and every parent in North Carolina has the opportunity to survive—and thrive.
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South Carolina Snapshot of Maternal and Infant Health
South Carolina continues to grapple with serious challenges in maternal and infant health, consistently earning failing grades from the March of Dimes for its high preterm birth rate. From 2022 to 2024, the state's preterm birth rate remained at 11.6%, ranking 44th out of 52 states and territories.
South Carolina by the Numbers (March of Dimes Report):
Preterm Birth Rate:
11.6% of live births were preterm in 2023 (Grade F). SC ranks 44th in the U.S.Infant Mortality:
6.8 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2022; ranks 40th nationally.Maternal Mortality:
32.3 deaths per 100,000 births (2018–2022); ranks 32nd in the U.S.Persistent Disparities:
Black South Carolinians experience 1.4 the rates of preterm birth and infant mortality compared to other groups.
In addition, South Carolina ranks among the highest in maternal vulnerability and maternal mortality, with alarming disparities and preventable outcomes that demand urgent attention. Racial disparities remain deeply entrenched. Black infants in South Carolina are 1.8 times more likely to die than the state average, and the preterm birth rate among Black South Carolinians is 1.4 times higher than for all other groups. One in five women in the state lacked sufficient prenatal care during pregnancy.
Geographic disparities further deepen these challenges. Women living in rural areas face a 62% higher risk of maternal death compared to those in urban settings, with a maternal mortality rate of 55.4 per 100,000 live births in rural regions versus 34.2 in urban ones in 2021.
Beyond the human toll, the economic burden of poor maternal and infant health outcomes is staggering. For 2019 alone, South Carolina faced an estimated $16 million in direct medical costs, $106 million in lost workforce productivity, $3.8 million in increased reliance on public assistance, and $357 million in elevated Medicaid and child health-related costs.
Together, these statistics underscore the urgent need for comprehensive, equity-focused maternal and infant health policies that address both clinical care and the broader social and environmental factors driving these outcomes.
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South Carolina March of Dimes Report
South Carolina Institute of Medicine and Public Health Report
Georgia Snapshot of Maternal and Infant Health
Georgia by the Numbers (March of Dimes Report):
Preterm Birth Rate:
11.8% of live births were preterm in 2023 (Grade F). GA ranks 45th in the U.S.Infant Mortality:
7.1 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2022; ranks 43rd nationally.Maternal Mortality:
32.1 deaths per 100,000 births (2018–2022); ranks 31st in the U.S.Persistent Disparities:
Black Georgians experience 1.4 the rates of preterm birth and infant mortality compared to other groups.
Black Georgians experience preterm births at rates 1.4 times higher than other groups. Several chronic health conditions—smoking (17.8%), hypertension (26.5%), unhealthy weight (13.6%), and diabetes (32.8%)—are major contributors to these outcomes. In 2022, 893 babies died before their first birthday. Georgia ranked 43rd in the nation, and the rate for Black infants was 1.4 times the state average.
On the maternal side, the mortality rate was 32.1 deaths per 100,000 births (2018–2022), and the low-risk cesarean birth rate stood at 29.8%, ranking Georgia 47th nationally. Georgia also scores high on the Maternal Vulnerability Index, reflecting the compounding impact of chronic health conditions, limited access to care, and systemic barriers.
Continued investment, bold policy action, and cross-sector collaboration will be essential to build a healthier future for Georgia’s families.
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Tennessee Snapshot of Maternal and Infant Health
Tennessee by the Numbers (March of Dimes Report):
Preterm Birth Rate:
11.3% of live births were preterm in 2023 (Grade D-). TN ranks 42nd in the U.S.Infant Mortality:
6.6 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2022; ranks 36th nationally.Maternal Mortality:
41.1 deaths per 100,000 births (2018–2022); ranks 39th in the U.S.Persistent Disparities:
Black Tennesseans experience 1.5 the rates of preterm birth and infant mortality compared to other groups.
For Black infants, the rate was 1.6 times the state average. The leading causes of infant death from 2020 to 2022 included birth defects, preterm birth/low birth weight, accidents, and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
While Tennessee has adopted two out of four supportive midwifery policies and extended Medicaid coverage to one year postpartum, significant gaps remain. Together, the Maternal Health Strategic Plan and the state’s performance on maternal and infant health indicators point to both the scale of the challenge and the opportunity for systemic, equity-driven reforms. With ongoing commitment from public health leaders and community stakeholders, Tennessee can take meaningful steps toward improving outcomes for mothers and babies across the state.
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