Maternal mortality has increased in North Carolina, to 76 deaths in 2019, 26% higher than the prior reporting period of 2016. Over one-quarter (26%) of those deaths were due to a drug overdose, and 85% of deaths were considered to be preventable. Additionally, the North Carolina Division of Public Health found that discrimination was a probable factor in nearly 70% of all the deaths, and was the most common factor recorded. This statistic highlights the need for culturally-competent prenatal and postpartum care for all mothers across the state. Improving maternal health can have a positive impact on fetal health by preventing pre-term births, and complications to the fetus related to maternal health conditions such as gestational diabetes and high blood pressure.

Most pregnant women (76.7%) do receive enough prenatal care, however those who do not are at least three times more likely to die from a pregnancy-related complication. Maternal mortality is largely preventable, with estimates suggesting that at least 60% of deaths could be avoided. The percent of mothers who received prenatal care during the first trimester in Cumberland County was at a 5-year low in 2023 at 67.3%, which is five percentage points below the state of North Carolina and 13 percentage points away from the Healthy NC 2023 target of 80%.

Infant health encompasses the health of a child prior to their first birthday. Mortality among infants can be the result of multiple complications, such as congenital defects, low birthweight, maternal health complications, short gestation, and sudden infant death syndrome. While the infant death rate for the state of North Carolina remained fairly stable between 2019 and 2023 (ranging from 6.8-6.9 deaths per 1,000 live births), Cumberland County has fluctuated. In 2019, the infant death rate was 6.8 but rose to 13.8 in 2023. The percent of preterm births in Cumberland County in 2023 was 11.5% compared to North Carolina's 10.7%. While those numbers aren't drastically different, the Healthy People 2030 target is 9.4% and the NC Perinatal Health Strategic Plan goal is 7.3%. Cumberland County's high preterm birth percentage adds to the occurrence of low birthweight (infants born less than 2,500 grams or 5lbs 8oz at birth), which is 10.2%.