Deaths during pregnancy and childbirth in the United States have registered a double rise in the past 20 years, a development that a human rights group called "scandalous and disgraceful" Friday.

For African-American women, the percentage for pregnancy-related deaths registered 32.7 deaths per 100,000 pregnancies.

And for African-American women, the percentage for pregnancy-related deaths touched 32.7 deaths per 100,000 pregnancies.

In addition, the rights group revealed that nearly 1.7 million women a year, about 33% of pregnant women in the United States, suffer from pregnancy-related complications.

"This country's extraordinary record of medical advancement makes its haphazard approach to maternal care all the more scandalous and disgraceful," quoted Larry Cox, executive director of Amnesty International USA.

Amnesty International is revealed to issue a report Friday, calling on President Obama to undertake action.

In addition, the reports added that Minorities, women living in poverty, Native Americans, immigrants and those who speak little or no English are particularly the hard hit.