Population - Women - Ages 18-44 in United States

United States

The demographics of a state influence the health needs and outcomes of its population. Understanding the demographic breakdown by age as well as race and ethnicity can help state health officials determine health promotion and disease prevention priorities. The proportion of women of reproductive age (18-44 years old) varies across states and impacts women’s health and birth outcomes. Access to contraceptive and family planning services is particularly important in areas where there is a high proportion of women of reproductive age or in areas with limited resources. This helps to ensure equitable reproductive health outcomes and prevent unintended pregnancies.

Women of reproductive age have unique health needs that evolve as they age, including menstrual health, reproductive health, postpartum depression and menopause. Pregnancy-related health issues are another concern. Maternal mortality rates in the United States are higher than in other comparable countries, and increasing. Contributing factors include women getting pregnant at older ages, inequities in health care access and a rise in chronic health conditions. Women in the U.S. also have higher rates of chronic conditions and mental health needs than their international counterparts. Furthermore, there are severe disparities by race and ethnicity — Black women in the U.S. have a maternal mortality rate 2.5 times higher than white women.

Other health concerns impacting women of reproductive age include: 

• Breast and cervical cancers are among the most common cancers affecting women.
• 41% of women experience intimate partner violence (IPV). IPV is associated with negative mental and physical health outcomes that may affect the cardiac, digestive, reproductive, nervous and other systems in the long term. 
• Mental health conditions such as depression disproportionately impact women more than men, and tend to manifest differently. 
• Sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
• One in every five women experience heavy menstrual bleeding, or menorrhagia.
• Autoimmune disorders are twice as common among women compared with men. These conditions can be triggered by periods of extensive stress, such as pregnancy, or when experiencing significant hormonal changes. 

Chinn, Juanita J., Iman K. Martin, and Nicole Redmond. “Health Equity Among Black Women in the United States.” Journal of Women’s Health 30, no. 2 (February 1, 2021): 212–19. https://doi.org/10.1089/jwh.2020.8868.

Declercq, Eugene, and Laurie Zephyrin. “Maternal Mortality in the United States: A Primer.” Data Brief. The Commonwealth Fund, 2020. https://doi.org/10.26099/ta1q-mw24.

Gunja, Munira Z., Shanoor Seervai, Laurie C. Zephyrin, and Reginald D. II Williams. “Health and Health Care for Women of Reproductive Age: How the United States Compares with Other High-Income Countries.” Issue Brief. The Commonwealth Fund, April 5, 2022. https://doi.org/10.26099/4pph-j894.

Zapata, Lauren B., Karen Pazol, Kathryn M. Curtis, Debra J. Kane, Tara C. Jatlaoui, Suzanne G. Folger, Ekwutosi M. Okoroh, Shanna Cox, and Maura K. Whiteman. “Need for Contraceptive Services Among Women of Reproductive Age — 45 Jurisdictions, United States, 2017–2019.” MMWR. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report 70, no. 25 (June 25, 2021): 910–15. https://doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7025a2.