Thinking Further

Let's consider two important social problems in the United States: Maternal and Infant Mortality.

To begin, let's look at maternal death rates in the US. Take a look at the website below with information about maternal mortality rates in the US for 2020 compiled by the CDC. Consider the following questions:

How do you define maternal death?
What was the 2020 maternal death rate in the US?
Was this rate an increase or decrease from the previous year?
What is the maternal death rate among people of color?
How does maternal age affect the maternal death rate?

Maternal Death Rates from the CDC

Next, let's examine infant mortality in the US. Take a look at the website below. On it, you will find information about infant mortality in the US compiled by the CDC. Consider the following questions:

How do you define infant mortality?
What was the 2020 infant mortality rate in the US?
What are the five major causes of infant mortality?
How does the infant mortality rate in your state compare to the national average?
What is the infant mortality rate among people of color?
What are some of the things the CDC is doing to improve infant mortality in the US?

Infant Mortality Rates from the CDC