The U.S. health care system consistently fails to meet the needs of women of reproductive age — whether for maternal care, primary care, or mental health care — according to a new Commonwealth Fund report that compares health care access and outcomes for women ages 18 to 49 in 11 high-income countries.
It is well documented that among high-income countries, the United States has the highest rates of maternal death. The problem is particularly acute for Black women, who are nearly three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than are white women. The new report, Health and Health Care for Women of Reproductive Age: How the United States Compares with Other High-Income Countries, reveals just how broadly the U.S. health care system fails women.