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United States Value:
Percentage of women with a recent live birth who reported experiencing depressive symptoms
Additional Measures:
Appears In:
Percentage of women with a recent live birth who reported experiencing depressive symptoms
Percentage of women with a recent live birth who reported experiencing depressive symptoms
Percentage of women with a recent live birth who reported experiencing depressive symptoms
CDC, Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System or state equivalent
Percentage of women with a recent live birth who reported experiencing depressive symptoms
CDC, Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System or state equivalent
US Value: 13.6%
Top State(s): Iowa: 7.9%
Bottom State(s): Arkansas: 23.2%
Definition: Percentage of women with a recent live birth who reported experiencing depressive symptoms
Data Source and Years: CDC, Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System or state equivalent, 2020
Suggested Citation: America's Health Rankings analysis of CDC, Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System or state equivalent, United Health Foundation, AmericasHealthRankings.org, accessed 2023.
Postpartum depression is depression that occurs following pregnancy and delivery. It is one of the most common medical complications during the six months following childbirth and is associated with adverse outcomes for both mother and child.
Postpartum depressive symptoms include feeling sad, pessimistic or angry, crying more often, difficulty sleeping, feeling disconnected from the baby and worrying about hurting the baby. The primary risk factors for postpartum depression include previous depression, anxiety and mood disorders. Other risk factors include stress during pregnancy (including emotional, financial, partner-related or traumatic stress), traumatic birth experience, not breastfeeding, early cessation of breastfeeding or negative early breastfeeding experiences.
Symptoms of maternal depression during early infant development could lead to long-term problems for the child, such as impaired cognitive and language development, behavioral issues and poor sleep quality.
The prevalence of postpartum depression is higher among:
Postpartum depression may be prevented through supportive and psychological care following childbirth. This includes home visits, peer support and interpersonal therapy.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends that providers screen for postpartum depression and anxiety during a comprehensive visit following delivery. Additional follow-ups several weeks or months after further significantly reduce the risk of depression. Screenings and the resulting care were found to be cost-effective in improving quality of life for affected individuals.
Healthy People 2030 has an objective to increase the proportion of women who are screened for postpartum depression at their postpartum checkup.
“ACOG Committee Opinion No. 757: Screening for Perinatal Depression.” Obstetrics & Gynecology 132, no. 5 (November 2018): e208–12. https://doi.org/10.1097/AOG.0000000000002927.
Bauman, Brenda L., Jean Y. Ko, Shanna Cox, Denise V. D’Angelo, MPH, Lee Warner, Suzanne Folger, Heather D. Tevendale, Kelsey C. Coy, Leslie Harrison, and Wanda D. Barfield. “Vital Signs: Postpartum Depressive Symptoms and Provider Discussions About Perinatal Depression — United States, 2018.” MMWR. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report 69, no. 19 (May 15, 2020): 575–81. https://doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm6919a2.
Ip, Stanley, Mei Chung, Gowri Raman, Priscilla Chew, Nombulelo Magula, Deirdre DeVine, Thomas Trikalinos, and Joseph Lau. “Breastfeeding and Maternal and Infant Health Outcomes in Developed Countries.” AHRQ Evidence Reports/Technology Assessments, No. 153. Rockville, MD: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, April 2007. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK38337/.
Ko, Jean Y., Karilynn M. Rockhill, Van T. Tong, Brian Morrow, and Sherry L. Farr. “Trends in Postpartum Depressive Symptoms — 27 States, 2004, 2008, and 2012.” MMWR. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report 66, no. 6 (2017). https://doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm6606a1.
Slomian, Justine, Germain Honvo, Patrick Emonts, Jean-Yves Reginster, and Olivier Bruyère. “Consequences of Maternal Postpartum Depression: A Systematic Review of Maternal and Infant Outcomes.” Women’s Health 15 (January 1, 2019): 1745506519844044. https://doi.org/10.1177/1745506519844044.
Stewart, Donna E., E. Robertson, Cindy-Lee Dennis, Sherry L. Grace, and Tamara Wallington. “Postpartum Depression: Literature Review of Risk Factors and Interventions.” Toronto: University Health Network Women’s Health Program for Toronto Public Health, October 2003. https://poliklinika-harni.hr/images/uploads/380/who-postpartalna-depresija.pdf.
Stewart, Donna E., and Simone Vigod. “Postpartum Depression.” Edited by Caren G. Solomon. New England Journal of Medicine 375, no. 22 (December 2016): 2177–86. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMcp1607649.
Watkins, Stephanie, Samantha Meltzer-Brody, Denniz Zolnoun, and Alison Stuebe. “Early Breastfeeding Experiences and Postpartum Depression.” Obstetrics & Gynecology 118, no. 2 (August 2011): 214–21. https://doi.org/10.1097/AOG.0b013e3182260a2d.
Wilkinson, Andra, Seri Anderson, and Stephanie B. Wheeler. “Screening for and Treating Postpartum Depression and Psychosis: A Cost-Effectiveness Analysis.” Maternal and Child Health Journal 21, no. 4 (April 2017): 903–14. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-016-2192-9.
America’s Health Rankings builds on the work of the United Health Foundation to draw attention to public health and better understand the health of various populations. Our platform provides relevant information that policymakers, public health officials, advocates and leaders can use to effect change in their communities.
We have developed detailed analyses on the health of key populations in the country, including women and children, seniors and those who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces, in addition to a deep dive into health disparities across the country.