Tennessee has highest maternal mortality rate in country, CDC data says
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — New data from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) ranks Tennessee number one for its maternal mortality rate from 2018 to 2022.
According to the report, there were 166 pregnancy-related deaths in TN during the five year span, making the state's maternal mortality rate 41.1 per 100,000 births.
Sen. London Lamar (D-Memphis) told News 2 she sadly isn't surprised by the statistic.
'If we don't invest on the front end and give women access to services they need, we can only expect negative outcomes,' Sen. Lamar said.
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According to TN's Maternal Mortality Review Board, from 2020 to 2022, the leading causes of pregnancy-related deaths in the state were mental health conditions, including substance use disorders, cardiovascular conditions, and infections.
The committee also found in 2022, 76% of pregnancy-related deaths were preventable.
Sen. Lamar blames, in part, the state's near-total abortion ban and lack of access to quality care for TN's high maternal mortality rate.
'We need to make great policy decisions and put our money where our mouth is if we're going to be a pro-life state to ensure women have the healthcare services that they need,' Sen. Lamar said.
The Democrat believes that includes building more hospitals and healthcare centers, reimbursing doctors, and implementing TennCare coverage for doula services.
Although the state currently has a pilot program requiring TennCare to reimburse for doula services, Sen. Lamar told News 2 making it permanent would improve outcomes for mothers and babies.
'Doulas reduce the rate of maternal and infant mortality and morbidity, period, because when someone has the education and support that they need, or someone has the training to identify things that could potentially be going wrong with the pregnancy, we can act faster, we can put you on the path to success, we can create a plan that can help you make it throughout the pregnancy process and afterwards in postpartum,' Sen. Lamar said.
Tennessee has taken steps aimed at reducing its maternal mortality rate over the years, including providing grant money for community organizations to increase the number of postpartum and substance use disorder screenings and efforts to improve access to support services.
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However, Sen. Lamar told News 2 she plans to continue to push for more.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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