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News
Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy are on the rise — fast. A new study found rates climbed from 62.7 to 109.1 per 1,000 live births between 2016 and 2024, an average jump of 7.2% per year. Non-Hispanic American Indian or Alaska Native and Black individuals faced the highest rates, highlighting deep and persistent racial disparities in maternal health.
A major new study analyzing over 33 million US live births found that hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) — including gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, and eclampsia — surged dramatically between 2016 and 2024. Rates nearly doubled over the period, with a notable acceleration through 2021 before slightly tapering off.
The findings, published in Obstetrics & Gynecology, underscore a growing maternal health crisis with stark racial and ethnic disparities. Non-Hispanic American Indian or Alaska Native (AIAN) and Black individuals bore the heaviest burden, while non-Hispanic Asian and multiracial individuals saw the fastest growth in rates over time.
By the Numbers:
Why it matters: HDP is a leading cause of maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. The near-doubling of rates over just eight years — combined with persistent racial disparities — signals an urgent need for targeted prevention strategies and continued surveillance to protect the health of pregnant individuals across all communities.
