--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: As indicated by the increase in maternal…" description: "\"As indicated by the increase in maternal mortality in 2010, right now it's more dangerous to give birth in California than in Kuwait or Bosnia. Amnesty..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e5c/jessica-valenti-1960_amnesty_as-indicated-by-the-increase-in-maternal_3086967.jpg" --- # As indicated by the increase in maternal mortality in… ![“As indicated by the increase in maternal mortality in 2010, right now it's more dangerous to give birth in California than in Kuwait or Bosnia. Amnesty International reports that women in [the United States] have a higher risk of dying due to pregnancy complications than women in forty-nine other…” quote by Jessica Valenti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e5c/jessica-valenti-1960_amnesty_as-indicated-by-the-increase-in-maternal_3086967.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e5c/jessica-valenti-1960_amnesty_as-indicated-by-the-increase-in-maternal_3086967.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e5c/jessica-valenti-1960_amnesty_as-indicated-by-the-increase-in-maternal_3086967.jpg) > “As indicated by the increase in maternal mortality in 2010, right now it's more dangerous to give birth in California than in Kuwait or Bosnia. Amnesty International reports that women in \[the United States\] have a higher risk of dying due to pregnancy complications than women in forty-nine other countries (black women are almost four times as likely to die as white women). The United States spends more than any other country on maternal health care, yet our risk of dying or coming close to death during pregnancy or in childbirth remains unreasonably high.” [Jessica Valenti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-valenti/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The United States has a disproportionately high maternal mortality rate despite high spending, especially affecting Black women, indicating systemic inequities and policy failures. **In simple terms:** US maternal deaths are high, especially for Black women, despite spending. Key Takeaway Address systemic racism and improve care quality. Themes health equity racial disparity policy maternal health Mood urgent concerned Type policy social justice When to use this quote - hospital policy - public health reform - community outreach - research funding Key Concepts systemic racism healthcare access economic inequality Questions to Reflect On - What policies could reduce maternal deaths? - How can communities support at‑risk mothers? A Different Perspective High spending alone does not guarantee safety; structural change is required. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Amnesty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/amnesty/) [Amnesty international](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/amnesty-international/) [Birth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/birth/) [Black women](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/black-women/) [Bosnia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bosnia/) [California](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/california/) [Care](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/care/) [Childbirth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/childbirth/) [Close to death](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/close-to-death/) [Country](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/country/) [Death](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/death/) [Giving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/giving/) [Health care](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/health-care/) [Kuwait](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kuwait/) [Maternal health](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/maternal-health/) [Mortality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mortality/) [Pregnancy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pregnancy/) [Risk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/risk/) [United states](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/united-states/) ## Related quotes > [“One target of the fifth UN Millennium Development Goal (UNMDG) to improve maternal health, is to reduce maternal mortality by three-quarters by 2015.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gabrielle-palmer/one-target-of-the-fifth-un-millennium-development-goal-unmdg-to/) [Gabrielle Palmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gabrielle-palmer/) > [“Why the number three? Probably because there are three stages to be completed: the death, the pregnancy, and childbirth. Just as the moon, which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marie-cachet/why-the-number-three-probably-because-there-are-three-stages-to-be/) Marie Cachet > [Young women who live in areas with high maternal mortality change their behavior less in response to HIV than young women who live in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-oster/young-women-who-live-in-areas-with-high-maternal-mortality-change/) [Emily Oster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-oster/) > [Prenatal care is one of the most effective ways to reduce maternal mortality because it identifies complications or high risks before emergency situations.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liya-kebede/prenatal-care-is-one-of-the-most-effective-ways-to-reduce-maternal/) [Liya Kebede](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liya-kebede/) > [Yes, we've cut the maternal mortality rate in half, but far too many women are still denied critical access to reproductive health care and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-clinton/yes-we-ve-cut-the-maternal-mortality-rate-in-half-but-far-too-many/) [Hillary Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-clinton/) > [“between 1915 and 1930, US maternal mortality did not decline and deaths of babies from birth injuries actually increased. Hospitals advertised widely, urging mothers…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gabrielle-palmer/between-1915-and-1930-us-maternal-mortality-did-not-decline-and/) [Gabrielle Palmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gabrielle-palmer/) > [Maternal mortality health is a very sensitive indicator. All you need to look at is a country's maternal mortality rate. That is a surrogate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-chan/maternal-mortality-health-is-a-very-sensitive-indicator-all-you-need/) [Margaret Chan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-chan/) > [A few countries like Sri Lanka and Honduras have led the way in slashing maternal mortality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicholas-d-kristof/a-few-countries-like-sri-lanka-and-honduras-have-led-the-way-in/) [Nicholas D. Kristof](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicholas-d-kristof/) > [It is imperative that we address the barriers to access and the systemic racism that we know is contributing to our astronomically high maternal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leana-s-wen/it-is-imperative-that-we-address-the-barriers-to-access-and-the/) [Leana S. Wen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leana-s-wen/) > [Statistically, the United States rates number 39 in maternal mortality. This means that it is safer to be pregnant and to give birth in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-lim/statistically-the-united-states-rates-number-39-in-maternal-mortality/) [Robin Lim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-lim/) > [“The beauty and the tragedy of the modern world is that it eliminates many situations that require people to demonstrate a commitment to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sebastian-junger/the-beauty-and-the-tragedy-of-the-modern-world-is-that-it-eliminates/) [Sebastian Junger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sebastian-junger/) > [Who wants a world in which the guarantee that we shall not die of starvation entails the risk of dying of boredom?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raoul-vaneigem/who-wants-a-world-in-which-the-guarantee-that-we-shall-not-die-of/) [Raoul Vaneigem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raoul-vaneigem/) > [If you have intercourse you run the risk of dying and the ramifications of death are final.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cyndi-lauper/if-you-have-intercourse-you-run-the-risk-of-dying-and-the/) [Cyndi Lauper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cyndi-lauper/) > [The most profound question is, "What would I risk dying for?" The natural answer is "for my family." But for most of history, we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sebastian-junger/the-most-profound-question-is-what-would-i-risk-dying-for-the-natural/) [Sebastian Junger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sebastian-junger/) > [If you're going to risk dying, there's no sense doing it wet, cold and hungry unless absolutely necessary.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raymond-e-feist/if-you-re-going-to-risk-dying-there-s-no-sense-doing-it-wet-cold-and/) [Raymond E. Feist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raymond-e-feist/) ## More by Jessica Valenti > [The less obvious hurdle is that of preparing parents emotionally and putting forward realistic images of parenthood and motherhood. There also needs to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-valenti/the-less-obvious-hurdle-is-that-of-preparing-parents-emotionally-and/) [Jessica Valenti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-valenti/) > [Social media is not just another way to connect feminist and activist voices - it amplifies our messages as well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-valenti/social-media-is-not-just-another-way-to-connect-feminist-and-activist/) [Jessica Valenti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-valenti/) > [Women are brought up to believe you are going to be the better parent and you know what's best. I don't think that's necessarily…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-valenti/women-are-brought-up-to-believe-you-are-going-to-be-the-better-parent/) [Jessica Valenti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-valenti/) > [“What is closer to the truth is that when confronted with the love you deserve, it is easier to mock it than accept it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-valenti/what-is-closer-to-the-truth-is-that-when-confronted-with-the-love-you/) [Jessica Valenti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-valenti/) > [Stress from blogging keeps me up at night.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-valenti/stress-from-blogging-keeps-me-up-at-night/) [Jessica Valenti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-valenti/) > [I think we get into very dangerous territory when we start to define who can and cannot be a feminist. It's such a slippery…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-valenti/i-think-we-get-into-very-dangerous-territory-when-we-start-to-define/) [Jessica Valenti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-valenti/) > [It used to be, if you wanted to have a strong, influential voice in the feminist movement, you really needed to be part of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-valenti/it-used-to-be-if-you-wanted-to-have-a-strong-influential-voice-in-the/) [Jessica Valenti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-valenti/) > [The implications of likability are long-lasting and serious. Women adjust their behavior to be likable and as a result have less power in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-valenti/the-implications-of-likability-are-long-lasting-and-serious-women/) [Jessica Valenti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-valenti/) > [I think I was in high school, actually, and it was a guidance counselor or someone said, you know, you're just too loud; like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-valenti/i-think-i-was-in-high-school-actually-and-it-was-a-guidance-counselor/) [Jessica Valenti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-valenti/) > [The only purpose of an engagement ring is to show you 'belong' to someone, and your man makes bank.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-valenti/the-only-purpose-of-an-engagement-ring-is-to-show-you-belong-to/) [Jessica Valenti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-valenti/) > [Something I say a lot when it comes to anti-feminist stereotypes is that they exist for a reason. The stereotypes of feminists as ugly,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-valenti/something-i-say-a-lot-when-it-comes-to-anti-feminist-stereotypes-is/) [Jessica Valenti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-valenti/) > [Even the notion that women should have children at all is based on the idea that a woman's inherent and most important role is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-valenti/even-the-notion-that-women-should-have-children-at-all-is-based-on/) [Jessica Valenti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-valenti/) > [I do think that there is a real crisis of masculinity that's happening in America. I think the problem is - the way it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-valenti/i-do-think-that-there-is-a-real-crisis-of-masculinity-that-s/) [Jessica Valenti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-valenti/) > [Young women know that something is off; they know that the world is a messed-up place. They know that the world is a sexist…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-valenti/young-women-know-that-something-is-off-they-know-that-the-world-is-a/) [Jessica Valenti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-valenti/) > [“I’m talking about the soul-crushing drudgery of day-to-day parenthood that we’re too embarrassed to talk about. The boredom, the stress, the nagging dissatisfaction, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-valenti/i-m-talking-about-the-soul-crushing-drudgery-of-day-to-day-parenthood/) [Jessica Valenti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-valenti/) [Explore all 195 Jessica Valenti quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-valenti/) ## More Amnesty quotes > [I am strongly opposed to any form of amnesty, including, especially, executive amnesty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-scalise/i-am-strongly-opposed-to-any-form-of-amnesty-including-especially/) [Steve Scalise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-scalise/) > [How arrogant - how very far from humility - would be the self-satisfied, smug assurance that God, a tidy-up-after-us God will come and clean…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheldon-whitehouse/how-arrogant-how-very-far-from-humility-would-be-the-self-satisfied/) [Sheldon Whitehouse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheldon-whitehouse/) > [Hillary Clinton has pledged to keep both of these illegal amnesty programs, including the 2014 amnesty which has been blocked by the United States…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/hillary-clinton-has-pledged-to-keep-both-of-these-illegal-amnesty/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) > [3 "amnesty" didn't mean rewarding illegal behavior.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mccain/3-amnesty-didn-t-mean-rewarding-illegal-behavior/) [John McCain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mccain/) > [Why don't Republicans spend all their airtime attacking the media for lying about what Obama's amnesty does and what the Democrats are doing? It's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-coulter/why-don-t-republicans-spend-all-their-airtime-attacking-the-media-for/) [Ann Coulter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-coulter/) > [...we will not grant amnesty to illegal aliens in this Congress or, hopefully ever again. We did that once. Everybody said it was a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-gramm/we-will-not-grant-amnesty-to-illegal-aliens-in-this-congress-or/) [Phil Gramm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-gramm/) > [ I take the Constitution very seriously. The biggest problems that we're facing right now have to do with \[the president\] trying to bring more… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/i-take-the-constitution-very-seriously-the-biggest-problems-that-we/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [I worked 30 years to try to restore respect for the rule of law because of Ronald Reagan's amnesty in 1986. And I don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-king/i-worked-30-years-to-try-to-restore-respect-for-the-rule-of-law/) [Steve King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-king/) > [You are going to hear many things from Mr. Trump today in his speech on immigration. One, no amnesty. He is absolutely going to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kellyanne-conway/you-are-going-to-hear-many-things-from-mr-trump-today-in-his-speech/) [Kellyanne Conway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kellyanne-conway/) > [I supported this bill. I believe in the idea of amnesty for those who have put down roots and who have lived here even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/i-supported-this-bill-i-believe-in-the-idea-of-amnesty-for-those-who/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [Amnesty is a disaster, we need strong borders. We have no country if we have no border. In New Hampshire, the biggest complaint is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/amnesty-is-a-disaster-we-need-strong-borders-we-have-no-country-if-we/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) > [no study has brought out any solid evidence that the death penalty deters crime. In fact, Amnesty reports that 'the murder rate in states…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antoinette-bosco/no-study-has-brought-out-any-solid-evidence-that-the-death-penalty/) [Antoinette Bosco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antoinette-bosco/) > [We try it practically every time it comes up, be it amnesty, be it any other issue they want. We try and it gets…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rush-limbaugh/we-try-it-practically-every-time-it-comes-up-be-it-amnesty-be-it-any/) [Rush Limbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rush-limbaugh/) > [ This bill \[Immigration Reform and Control act of 1986\] is a gamble, a riverboat gamble. There is no guarantee that employer sanctions will work… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-schumer/this-bill-immigration-reform-and-control-act-of-1986-is-a-gamble-a/) [Charles Schumer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-schumer/) > [ No one believed \[the 1986 amnesty for illegal aliens\] was tough enough on illegal immigration, and it didn't give enough flexibility on future legal immigration. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-schumer/no-one-believed-the-1986-amnesty-for-illegal-aliens-was-tough-enough/) [Charles Schumer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-schumer/) [Browse all 195 Amnesty quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/amnesty/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "As indicated by the increase in maternal mortality in 2010, right now it's more dangerous to give birth in California than in Kuwait or Bosnia. 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