California Pregnancy-Associated Mortality Review

The death of a pregnant or recently pregnant person is a rare but tragic event for the families and communities left behind, and society as a whole. In California, around 70 pregnant and birthing people die annually from pregnancy or childbirth complications. Sadly, many of these deaths are preventable.

In 2006, the California Department of Public Health’s Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health Division (MCAH) established the California Pregnancy-Associated Mortality Review (CA-PAMR) to comprehensively review deaths among pregnant or recently pregnant Californians, up to one year after pregnancy. Each death is examined through a health equity lens, and considerations include how social determinants of health, discrimination, and racism may have contributed to the death. Insights inform state-level policies to reduce maternal mortality and improve care quality for pregnant individuals, especially in marginalized communities.

Meet the data experts

Learn more about the CA-PAMR on the official website here

This project is supported by the California Department of Public Health, Maternal, Child, and Adolescent Health Division. The views and opinions expressed on this website are those of the researchers and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the State of California.