Over the last few decades, the measurement and reporting of health care quality outcomes has grown significantly. As health care evolves, it is important to continue to monitor and report on the quality of care delivered to patients in California and across the US. This set of quality measures is part of a series CHCF publishes on the quality of care in the state. Topics range from maternal to end-of-life care and include measures on behavioral health, chronic conditions, and providers.

This set of quality measures focuses on maternal health and childbirth.

American Indian and Alaska Native infants and Black infants were more likely to be born preterm than infants of other races/ethnicities.

About one in eight American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) infants and Black infants was born preterm in 2020. Nearly one in eight Black infants was born with a low birthweight. Infants born preterm or with a low birthweight have increased risk for lifelong health problems or of dying before their first birthday.

Infant mortality rates varied by race/ethnicity.

In 2019, Black, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, and AIAN infants had higher mortality rates than infants of other races/ethnicities. Only Asian, White, and multiracial infants had mortality rates lower than the Let’s Get Healthy California target of 4.0 deaths per 1,000 live births.

Black birthing people had a higher pregnancy-related mortality rate than birthing people of other races/ethnicities.

From 2017 to 2019, Black birthing people died from pregnancy-related causes at rates three to four times higher than birthing people of other races/ethnicities.

Prenatal and postpartum depressive symptoms were reported by about one in five Black birthing people.

About one in seven California birthing people reported experiencing symptoms of prenatal depression, and about one in eight reported experiencing symptoms of postpartum depression from 2018 to 2020. Black birthing people were more likely to report both prenatal and postpartum depressive symptoms than birthing people of other races/ethnicities. Prenatal and postpartum depression can negatively impact the birthing person and child.

The companion Excel data file is available for download below. These materials are part of CHCF’s California Health Care Almanac, an online clearinghouse for key data and analyses describing the state’s health care landscape. See our entire collection of current and past editions of Quality of Care.