California Leads U.S. in Low Maternal Mortality Following Dobbs

California maintains the lowest maternal mortality rate in the United States, according to a new report from the Gender Equity Policy Institute (GEPI).

The findings establish a stark contrast between California’s reproductive health outcomes and those in states where abortion access was restricted following the Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization.

The GEPI report, which builds on the organization’s January 2023 study of reproductive health across the country, analyzes key indicators including maternal mortality, teen births, and newborn deaths. By comparing states based on their reproductive healthcare access, the study identifies a significant divide in health outcomes between supportive states and those that implemented bans in 2022.

Data analyzed by the Gender Equity Policy Institute shows that California’s maternal mortality rate is less than half that of states that remain supportive of reproductive freedom. The gap widens significantly when compared to states that banned abortion after the Dobbs ruling. In those restrictive states, the maternal mortality rate is nearly five times higher than the rate seen in California.

While California leads the nation in maternal mortality metrics, the report notes that reproductive health is a broad continuum. On other key indicators, the state’s performance is strong but not singular in its dominance. Compared to other states that support reproductive rights, California ranks between 5th best and 13th in various other health categories.

The study indicates that women, pregnant people, and infants experience healthier outcomes in California and other supportive states than they do in states with abortion bans. This trend holds true across every indicator measured in the report.

California policymakers responded to the shifting legal landscape by implementing measures designed to protect reproductive freedom and prepare for the impact of out-of-state bans. Voters approved a state constitutional amendment to enshrine the rights to abortion and contraception.

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To coordinate these efforts, more than 40 organizations—including legal experts, advocacy groups, and healthcare providers—formed the California Future of Abortion Council. The council has focused on several strategic pillars to maintain the state’s healthcare infrastructure.

“To strengthen legal protections for consumers and abortion providers, expand the reproductive health care workforce, and ensure access to affordable care for low-income residents and communities of color.”

The council’s policy recommendations were partially enacted into law in 2022, with additional measures remaining pending as of 2023. These efforts aim to mitigate the impact of restrictive laws in neighboring jurisdictions and ensure the state’s healthcare workforce can meet potential increases in demand.

Despite the positive trends in California’s overall health outcomes, the Gender Equity Policy Institute highlights ongoing challenges regarding equity. While racial and ethnic disparities in maternal and reproductive health are narrowing within California, they have not been eliminated.

The report notes that these disparities remain “unacceptably high” and are a common feature in all three categories of states: supportive, restrictive, and banned. Even as California moves toward better outcomes, the gap in care quality and health results for people of color remains a central issue for state health officials.

The data suggests that while California has established itself as a leader in reproductive and sexual health, the state’s ability to close the remaining gaps in equity will determine its long-term success in maintaining these high standards.