Women experience many unique health issues such as pregnancy, childbirth, and menopause. Some health issues that affect both men and women pose unique challenges for women, such as urinary tract infections (UTI) and some mental health conditions. Some women can experience serious long-term health problems from both pregnancy and childbirth. Strategies to make sure women get high-quality health care before, during, and after pregnancy can help lower the risk of pregnancy-related health problems and deaths.
Women are also at risk for diseases like breast and cervical cancer. Screening for these diseases and health issues that disproportionately affect women is key to identifying problems and making sure women get the treatment they need.
See the “Related Data” section for additional insight into women’s health topics.
- In 2022, the maternal mortality rate for Black/African American women was over twice the national maternal mortality rate.
- In 2023, the Black/African American birth rate was 9% higher than the U.S. population overall, and the fertility rate was about the same as the U.S. population overall.
Additional Resources
MedlinePlus
HHS Office on Women’s Health
Further Reading
Maternal Mortality
| Maternal mortality, rate per 100,000 live births, 2022 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Black* | Total Population | Ratio (Black* / Total) |
| 49.5 | 22.3 | 2.22 |
Fertility
| Birth rate per 1,000 population, 2023 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Black* | Total Population | Ratio (Black* / Total) |
| 11.7 | 10.7 | 1.09 |
| Fertility rate per 1,000 females ages 15-44, 2023 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Black* | Total Population | Ratio (Black* / Total) |
| 53.7 | 54.5 | 0.99 |
*Population is non-Hispanic in the data source.
Related Data
Cancer
Black/African American women have higher rates of breast, cervical, and uterine cancer than U.S. women overall.
Explore more cancer data.
Cerebrovascular Diseases (Stroke)
Black/African American women are more likely to die from cerebrovascular diseases than U.S. women overall.
Explore more cerebrovascular diseases data.
Diabetes
Black/African American women are more likely to die from diabetes than U.S. women overall.
Explore more diabetes data.
Heart Disease
Black/African American women are more likely to die from major cardiovascular disease than U.S. women overall.
Explore more heart disease data.
HIV/AIDS
Black/African American women have higher rates of HIV/AIDS than U.S. women overall.
Explore more HIV/AIDS data.
Hypertension
Black/African women are more likely to die from high blood pressure and related kidney disease than U.S. women overall.
Explore more hypertension data.
Immunizations
Black/African American girls have higher HPV vaccination rates than Black/African American boys.
Explore more immunizations data.
Infant Mortality
Black/African American mothers are more likely to received late or no prenatal care compared U.S. mothers overall.
Explore more infant mortality data.
Kidney Disease
Black/African women are more likely to die from kidney disease than U.S. women overall.
Explore more kidney disease data.
Liver Disease
Black/African American women are less likely to die from liver disease than U.S. women overall.
Explore more liver disease data.
Mental Health
Black/African American girls are more likely to attempt suicide than Black/African American boys.
Explore more mental health data.
Nutrition
Black/African American girls report eating vegetables more often than Black/African American boys.
Explore more nutrition data.
Obesity
Black/African American women are more likely to be obese than Black/African American men.
Explore more obesity data.
Physical Activity
Black/African American girls are less likely to be physically active than Black/African American boys.
Explore more physical activity data.
Smoking, Vaping, and Tobacco Use
Black/African American women are more likely to use e-cigarettes (vapes) than Black/African American boys.
Explore more smoking, vaping, and tobacco use data.
Substance Use
Black/African American women have higher rates of drug overdose deaths than U.S. women overall.
Explore more substance use data.
Viral Hepatitis
Black/African American women are more likely to die from viral hepatitis than U.S. women overall.
Explore more viral hepatitis data.
Date Last Reviewed: March 2026