This entry is part of the series Women's Health in Crisis
Women's Health in Crisis

Georgia mothers are dying at the ninth-highest rate in America, with 32 deaths per 100,000 births – 37% above the national average.

🏥 The Numbers: Georgia recorded 32.15 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births, compared to the national average of 23.48. This places Georgia firmly in the nation’s bottom ten states for maternal health outcomes.

🔍 Between the Lines: The Birth Injury Lawyers Group, which conducted the study, called these findings “an urgent call to action” for Georgia’s healthcare systems and policymakers. Their analysis suggests these deaths weren’t inevitable – they resulted from systemic healthcare failures.

🚨 Why It Matters: These aren’t just statistics – they represent 201 Georgia women who died while giving birth between 2018-2022, leaving behind families and communities. Experts say most of these deaths could have been prevented with better healthcare.

🌍 The Big Picture: America’s maternal mortality crisis stands in contrast to other developed nations, where rates have declined. In the United States, the rate has only increased. The problem disproportionately affects women of color and those in rural areas with limited healthcare access, showing even deeper inequities in our healthcare system.

It’s A Southern Thing: Pay close attention to the table below, it becomes clear that the South clearly lags the nation in taking care of women’s health. 9 of the bottom 10 states with the worst maternal death rates are Southern states. This should serve as a wakeup call to both voters and leaders throughout the South.

Georgia mothers are dying at the ninth-highest rate in America, with 32 deaths per 100,000 births – 37% above the national average.

The study was conducted by the Birth Injury Lawyers Group, a nationwide network of lawyers dedicated to advocating for families affected by medical negligence.

Sources:

  • CDC maternal mortality data (2018-2022)
  • Birth Injury Lawyers Group study
  • www.birthinjurylawyer.com

How to Read and Understand The News

When reading news, remember:

  • Truth doesn’t change because we dislike it
  • Facts remain facts even when they make us uncomfortable
  • Events happen whether we accept them or not
  • Good reporting often challenges us
  • The news isn’t choosing a position — it is relaying what official, verified sources have said.
  • Blaming the press for bad news is like blaming a thermometer for a fever.

Before dismissing news that bothers you, ask:

  1. What evidence supports this story?
  2. Am I reacting to facts or feelings?
  3. What would change my mind?
  4. Am I “shooting the messenger” because I don’t like what is happening?

Smart news consumers seek truth, not just comfort.

Georgia mothers are dying at the ninth-highest rate in America, with 32 deaths per 100,000 births – 37% above the national average.
B.T. Clark
Publisher at 

B.T. Clark is an award-winning journalist and the Publisher of The Georgia Sun. He has 25 years of experience in journalism and served as Managing Editor of Neighbor Newspapers in metro Atlanta for 15 years and Digital Director at Times-Journal Inc. for 8 years. His work has appeared in several newspapers throughout the state including Neighbor Newspapers, The Cherokee Tribune and The Marietta Daily Journal. He is a Georgia native and a fifth-generation Georgian.

Here Are Some Tangible Ways You Can Support Local Journalism

We strive to make state and local journalism free to all readers. While we are an ad-supported site with no paywalls, support from readers and passionate community members make it possible for us to keep the news free to Georgia citizens.

Note: The Georgia Sun is not a 501(c)(3) organization. Your contributions help us provide local journalism, but they are not tax deductible.