Racial Disparities in Maternal Mortality Rates Need More Time to Improve

Feb 18, 2025

1 min

Martine Hackett

A Newsday story on racial disparities in maternal mortality rates in New York featured an interview with Dr. Martine Hackett, associate professor and chair of Hofstra’s Department of Population Health. While national statistics have improved overall in recent years, experts say it will take more time to close the gap.



National statistics released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show overall maternal mortality across the U.S. dropped for the second year in a row. However, while the rate for white women, decreased from 19 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2022 to 14.5 in 2023, it rose from 49.5 to 50.3 for Black women.


Dr. Hackett, cofounder of Birth Justice Warriors, called the disparity “shocking” and said, “When you’re looking to address a problem as big and complex as maternal mortality, it is going to take a long time.”
Connect with:
Martine Hackett

Martine Hackett

Associate Professor of Population Health

Dr. Hackett's research focuses on public health and health inequities, particularly in the American suburbs and minority communities.

Public HealthHealth CommunicationResearch MethodsMaternal-Child HealthInfant Injury

You might also like...

Check out some other posts from Hofstra University

1 min

New Poll Measures Presidential Popularity

Dr. Meena Bose was interviewed by Newsweek regarding a new poll from Marquette University that found Americans view former President Barack Obama more favorably than President Donald Trump. Dr. Bose explained that Obama’s “personal appeal, inspirational rhetoric, and unanticipated success in the 2008 presidential race continue to have strong public support.” “The promise of hope and change are defining features of the Obama presidential campaign and still influence assessments of his presidency,” she said. Dr. Bose is a Hofstra University professor of political science, executive dean of the Public Policy and Public Service program, and director of the Kalikow Center for the Study of the American Presidency.

1 min

Hempstead Supervisor Announces Tax Cuts

Lawrence Levy, associate vice president and executive dean of the National Center for Suburban Studies, spoke to News 12 Long Island about Hempstead Town Supervisor John Ferretti proposing an 18% tax cut to the general fund for 2026, that he says would result in $5 million savings. Helping to fund the cut would be a reduction in the town’s workforce. “This could be a good thing if the reduction is the result of sound fiscal practices. It could be a bad thing if it’s the result of fiscal gimmicks,” Levy said. “We’re talking about – at best – dollars in savings, not hundreds of dollars, except for the most expensive of properties.

View all posts