Infant and Maternal Mortality in St. Louis
Infant and maternal mortality is not just an individual health problem, but rather a systematic problem rooted in white supremacy and racism. Poverty and low access to health services disproportionately affect Black families. Our region’s transportation, housing, employers, schools and social services all need to be part of the solution. People from every sector must work together to improve the health of Black moms and babies in the region.
The tools below show Infant and Maternal Mortality rates in St. Louis City & County compared to rates in Missouri and the United States from 2017-2019. Explore the information about racial disparities that exist in each section. Note that RED boxes at the top indicates rates for “Individuals of All Races” and the GOLD boxes in each section represent rates for “Black Individuals”.
St. Louis City & County Infant Mortality
Per 1,000 Live Births
St. Louis City & County Maternal Mortality
Per 100,000 Live Births
Infant Mortality | 2017-2019
Infant Mortality is defined as the number of babies that die before their first birthday. This dashboard shows the rate of Black babies that died from 2017-2019. (Source: MO DHSS Annual Vital Statistics Reports).
St. Louis City & County
Per 1,000 Black Births
St. Louis Disparity Gap
3:1
Black : White
Missouri
Per 1,000 Black Births
United States
Per 1,000 Black Births
Healthy People 2030
Per 1,000 Live Births
Click to View Infographic
St. Louis City & County’s infant mortality rate is one of the worst in the United States. When you disaggregate the data by race, Black babies are three times more likely to die before their first birthday than white babies. Infant death in St. Louis is above the national average. The impact of these deaths is substantial, especially in neighborhoods where families struggle to get access to the most basic of needs, like safe housing, food and health care. Every baby’s death is a loss for their family and for the entire community.
Maternal Mortality |2017-2019
Maternal Mortality is defined as the death of a woman during pregnancy, at delivery or within 42 days postpartum. This dashboard shows the number of Black mothers who died from 2017-2019. (Source: MO DHSS Annual Vital Statistics Reports, CDC Pregnancy Surveillance, NICHS Health E-Stats)
St. Louis City & County
Per 100,000 Black Births
St. Louis Disparity Gap
2:1
Black : White
Missouri
Per 100,000 Black Births
United States
Per 100,000 Black Births
Healthy People 2030
Per 100,000 Live Births
Additional Resources
- A love letter to Black Birthing People from Black Birth Workers, Midwives and Physicians
- BMMA: Advancing the Human Right to Safe and Respectful Maternal Health Care
- TedMed: How we can improve maternal healthcare– before, during and after pregnancy
- ProPublica: Lost Mother’s
- Black Mamas Matter Alliance
Click to View Infographic
Maternal mortality is an indicator that is used internationally to judge the overall health of a country, state or community. Black women and pregnant people in St. Louis are 2 times more likely to die than white women and pregnant people. The death of a woman during pregnancy, childbirth, or within the first year postpartum influences the well-being of her children, family, and community, and serves as an early warning system for a society’s health. Like infant mortality, this is not an individual health problem, but a systematic problem.
