2025 State of the State for Maternal and Infant Health in Georgia Report Published

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

2025 State of the State for Maternal and Infant Health in Georgia Report Published

ATLANTA, Georgia, U.S. — April 30, 2025 — Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition of Georgia (HMHBGA) announces the publication of the fifth edition of its State of the State of Maternal & Infant Health in Georgia report. 

This comprehensive, evidence-informed report highlights key trends in maternal and infant health across Georgia from 2019 to 2023. It serves as a vital resource for policymakers, healthcare providers, advocates, and community stakeholders interested in improving health outcomes for birthing people, infants, and families in Georgia. 

The 2025 edition includes data across a broad spectrum of topics including: live births, premature and low birthweight babies, infant and fetal mortality, maternal morbidity and mortality, prenatal care, perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, maternal substance use, breastfeeding, oral health, vaccination rates, and access to care. The report also features special projects and statewide initiatives led by HMHBGA, such as the Perinatal Care Package program, Doula Integration and Awareness Project, and the Safe Under the Lilies Fund for domestic violence survivors. 

“The latest data underscores both persistent disparities and areas of progress in maternal and infant health,” said Whitney Williams, research manager. “We are encouraged by declines in tobacco use during pregnancy and increased community-based interventions—but the elevated rates of maternal and infant mortality, especially among Black families, demand urgent attention.” 

Significant findings from the report include: 

• A steady decline in birth rates across all age groups, with notable racial and geographic disparities.  

• Georgia's maternal mortality rate remains one of the highest in the nation at 37.9 deaths per 100,000 live births, with 87% of cases deemed preventable. 

• The infant mortality rate remained above the national average at 7.1 per 1,000 live births in 2023, with stark disparities by race and region. 

• Encouraging signs such as declining tobacco use among birthing people and increased access to HMHBGA’s maternal health resources. 

HMHBGA concludes the report with evidence-based recommendations in four implementation areas: (1) prenatal and postpartum care; (2) legislative advocacy and public policy; (3) public-private partnerships; and (4) enhanced data collection and evaluation practices. 

As a result, the HMHBGA staff, board and partnering organizations will work together to drive HMHBGA’s vision to create a Georgia where every mother and baby has the resources and support to be healthy and thrive throughout the perinatal period.  

“Through collaboration, we can advance equity and improve health outcomes for Georgia’s mothers and babies,” said Williams. 

The full report and executive summary are available online at www.hmhbga.org. 

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About Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition of Georgia:

Founded in 1974 as a statewide, nonpartisan, nonprofit organization, Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition of Georgia (HMHBGA) is one of the strongest statewide voices for improved access to healthcare and health outcomes for Georgia’s mothers, birth givers and babies. HMHBGA's mission is to improve maternal and infant health through advocacy, education, and access to vital resources. We envision a Georgia where all thrive with equitable access to perinatal resources and knowledge, responsive to each community's needs:

· We ensure that the immediate perinatal health and resource needs of families are supported through our programs and services.

· We are committed to leveraging innovation and collaboration to fill educational and programming gaps for communities experiencing the most significant health inequities.

· We advocate for maternal and infant health policies, influencing policymakers and stakeholders to prioritize the needs of mothers and babies, address disparities, and allocate resources effectively.

· We advance collective advocacy by conducting maternal and infant health research, leveraging data to inform policy and sharing with our allies to foster alignment in our collaborative efforts. Learn more on www.hmhbga.org.