A growing number of mothers are struggling with their health, especially their mental health.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A new national study is raising red flags about the health of American mothers. Not just during pregnancy, but well beyond it.
A growing number of mothers are struggling with their health, especially their mental health.
A new study in JAMA Internal Medicine looked at data from nearly 190,000 moms between 2016 and 2023. It found a sharp drop in the number of mothers reporting “excellent” mental and physical health.
In fact, fair or poor mental health rose by 64% over that time.
And moms who are younger, single, or have fewer resources reported the biggest declines.
Doctors say this isn’t just a post-pandemic issue. The decline started before COVID-19, pointing to larger societal pressures on parents.
Poor maternal health is linked to worse outcomes for kids, from birth to adulthood. That’s why experts say a mom’s well-being should be treated as essential to the entire family’s health.
The U.S. Surgeon General now calls it a public health priority, urging policy changes and more support for caregivers.
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