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Births, Infants, and Maternal Health

mom holding ultrasound pic
Keeping infants healthy starts with making sure women get high-quality care during pregnancy and improving women's health in general.1

1. Infants. Healthy People 2030. 10/29/24.

Quick Links

Infant Death report linkLow Birth Weight report linkFirst Trimester Prenatal Care Onset report linkPreterm Births report linkLow Risk Cesarean report link

Why It's Important

The well-being of mothers and infants determines the health of the next generation and can impact future public health challenges for families, communities, and the health care system.2

2. Maternal, Infant, and Child Health Workgroup. Healthy People 2030. 10/29/24.

What's Known

Maternal and infant mortality rates in the U.S. are higher than in other developed, high-income countries, and there are major disparities by race and ethnicity.3,4

3. Pregnancy and Childbirth. Healthy People 2030. 10/29/24.
4. Infants. Healthy People 2030. 10/29/24.

Who's at Risk

Maternal mortality and morbidity, as well as that of infants, varies by the mother's race, ethnicity, and age. Certain health conditions, such as hypertension and diabetes, increase the risk of poor outcomes. Unintended pregnancy is also linked to poorer outcomes.5,6,7

5. Infants. Healthy People 2030. 10/29/24.
6. Pregnancy and Childbirth. Healthy People 2030. 10/29/24.
7. Family Planning. Healthy People 2030. 10/29/24.

How to Reduce Risk

Some risk factors are modifiable and include8,9,10:
  • Getting health care before, during, and after pregnancy
  • Eating healthy
  • Gaining the recommended weight during pregnancy
  • Avoiding tobacco, alcohol, and other substances during and after pregnancy
  • Using birth control to prevent unintended pregnancy
  • Breastfeeding for as long as possible
  • Getting well-child care, vaccinations, and developmental screenings for the baby
  • Practicing safe sleep and correct use of child safety seats
8. Reproductive Health. CDC. 5/15/24.
9. Maternal and Infant Health. CDC. 5/15/24.
10. Healthy People 2030. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. 10/29/24.

How It's Tracked

Maternal and infant health are tracked at the state and national level primarily through:

Publications

Other Data and Information Resources

New Jersey

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services