Search Results: MCHLine

Keywords: Child mortality, Infant mortality, Maternal mortality, Statistics

Annotation: This report describes the maternal mortality review process in the state of New Mexico, presents key findings on pregnancy-associated deaths in the state for the period 2015-2018, and provides recommendations from the Review Committee aimed at reducing maternal deaths. The data indicates cause of death, race/ethnicity, place of birth, type of insurance, and other factors.

Contact: New Mexico Department of Health, 1190 South Saint Francis Drive, Santa Fe, NM 87505, Telephone: (505) 827-2613 Fax: (505) 827-2530 E-mail: [email protected] Web Site: https://nmhealth.org

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Keywords: Committees, Maternal death, Maternal mortality, Models, New Mexico , Prevention, Research, State programs, Statistics

Annotation: This toolkit provides home visiting programs with client education materials and implementation tools to support maternal warning signs education. This education covers the important signs of maternal complications that may occur during pregnancy and the year after delivery. The toolkit includes an illustrated handout and discussion guide available in 12 languages, a video available in English, Spanish and French, a magnet, and online training for home visitors with an implementation manual. The materials are designed for home visitors working with pregnant and postpartum clients to educate them about urgent maternal warning signs that require immediate medical attention. All digital resources are available through a shared Google Drive folder.

Contact: MDMOM, Maryland Maternal Health Innovation Program , Baltimore, MD E-mail: https://mdmom.org/contact-us Web Site: https://mdmom.org/

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Keywords: Home visits, Maternal mortality, Patient education materials, Prevention, Resources for professionals

Annotation: This video presents an educational presentation by Dr. Shari Lawson, a general obstetrician gynecologist at Johns Hopkins Hospital, covering urgent maternal warning signs for pregnant and postpartum women up to two months after delivery. The presentation discusses signs of preeclampsia including severe headaches, vision changes, extreme swelling, and severe nausea; other pregnancy warning signs such as severe abdominal pain, vaginal bleeding, and decreased fetal movement; postpartum complications including heavy bleeding and blood clots; and mental health concerns including depression and thoughts of self-harm. The video emphasizes the importance of seeking immediate medical attention when experiencing these symptoms and encourages sharing this information with family members to support maternal health. This video is available in English, Spanish and French as part of a comprehensive maternal warning signs toolkit for home visiting programs.

Contact: MDMOM, Maryland Maternal Health Innovation Program , Baltimore, MD E-mail: https://mdmom.org/contact-us Web Site: https://mdmom.org/

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Keywords: Maternal mortality, Patient education materials, Prevention

Annotation: This white paper discusses the worsening maternal morbidity and mortality (MMM) rates in the United States, which continue to disproportionately affect Black/African American and American Indian/Alaska Native women. The document addresses maternal health risks, the costs associated with maternal morbidity, and four crucial delays in care identified by the World Health Organization (WHO): delays in seeking medical care, reaching a facility, diagnosis/misdiagnosis, and receiving appropriate treatment. It discusses how digital healthcare solutions can advance maternal health by closing gaps in care, diminishing these four delays, empowering women to self-monitor, and equipping providers with more patient data for timely diagnosis. The paper describes the "Happy Mama" technology platform, which is designed to guide patients from preconception through 12 months postpartum while using FHIR-based interoperability standards to connect patient data with provider Electronic Health Records (EHRs).

Contact: Reach Healthcare Organization, 9051 Mira Mesa Blvd, San Diego, CA 92196, Web Site: https://reachtl.org

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Keywords: Data collection, Health care disparities, Maternal morbidity, Maternal mortality, Remote patient monitoring, Telemedicine

Annotation: This website provides information about the Healthy Start program, administered by the Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB), that works to improve health outcomes before, during, and after pregnancy in high-risk communities. The program focuses on enhancing mothers' health, preventing infant death, and eliminating health disparities through comprehensive, personalized care. The website offers several key resources, including a downloadable Healthy Start Fact Sheet providing program overview, links to evaluation reports showing program effectiveness, information about the Healthy Start EPIC Center for training and technical assistance, and access to the CAREWare database system for data management. Visitors can also find a program locator tool to find local Healthy Start sites, details about grant awards from 2019-2024 (including specific community-based doula initiatives), and contact information for additional questions. The site highlights program accomplishments, showing that Healthy Start participants receive early prenatal care, well-woman visits, and depression/interpersonal violence screenings at higher rates than national averages. The website also explains the structure of the Community Consortium approach and describes the Alumni Peer Navigator initiative that employs former program participants to help current families access needed services.

Contact: U.S. Maternal and Child Health Bureau, Health Resources and Services Administration, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20857, Secondary Telephone: (833)852-6262 Web Site: https://mchb.hrsa.gov

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Keywords: Health care disparities, Health promotion, Healthy Start, Infant health services, Infant mortality, Maternal health services, Perinatal care, Prevention

Annotation: The report analyzes life expectancy and mortality in the Americas for the period 2000–2019, exploring the burden of disease throughout the life course and with a focus on noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), encompassing mental and substance use disorders, neurological conditions, and external causes.

Contact: Pan American Health Organization, 525 23rd Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20037, Telephone: (202) 974-3000 Web Site: http://new.paho.org

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Keywords: Americas, Data, Maternal health, Mental health, Mortality, Noncommunicable diseases, Statistics, Substance use disorders, United States

Annotation: This report presents a roadmap of California's Birthing Care Pathway initiative launched by the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) to address maternal health disparities and improve outcomes for pregnant and postpartum Medi-Cal members. It describes the current state of maternal health in California, highlighting concerning trends in pregnancy-related mortality and severe maternal morbidity with significant racial disparities affecting Black, American Indian/Alaska Native, and Pacific Islander individuals. The document outlines DHCS' strategic approach to improve maternal health through policy solutions developed with input from diverse stakeholders, including Medi-Cal members. Key components include strengthening provider access, enhancing clinical care coordination, providing whole-person care, and modernizing maternity care payment systems. The report details recent Medi-Cal policy enhancements for perinatal care and describes California's participation in the federal Transforming Maternal Health Model to further strengthen delivery systems in selected Central Valley counties.

Contact: California Department of Health Care Services, P.O. Box 997413, MS 4400, Sacramento,, CA 95899-7413 , Fax: E-mail: https://www.dhcs.ca.gov/Pages/contact_us.aspx Web Site: https://www.dhcs.ca.gov/

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Keywords: California, Health care disparities, Maternal health, Maternal morbidity, Maternal mortality, Model programs, Perinatal care, Policy development, Postpartum care, Quality improvement, State initiatives, Trends

Annotation: This fact sheet describes maternal mortality review as a comprehensive process to identify, review, and analyze deaths during pregnancy, childbirth, and the year postpartum to improve systems of care and prevent future tragedies. The document explains that this work is carried out by Maternal Mortality Review Committees (MMRCs), which are multidisciplinary state- or jurisdiction-based groups that conduct in-depth reviews of each death to determine critical factors and craft tailored recommendations. It describes how Congress passed the Preventing Maternal Deaths Act in 2018, which authorized the CDC's Enhancing Reviews and Surveillance to Eliminate Maternal Mortality (ERASE MM) program to provide funding and technical assistance to MMRCs in over 50 states and jurisdictions. The fact sheet outlines the alignment between MMRCs and the Title V MCH Services Block Grant, noting that MMRCs offer distinct qualitative, case-based insights that can inform Title V priority setting and planning.

Contact: Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs, 1825 K Street, N.W., Suite 250, Washington, DC 20006-1202, Telephone: (202) 775-0436 Fax: (202) 478-5120 E-mail: [email protected] Web Site: http://www.amchp.org

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Keywords: Information dissemination, Legislation, Maternal death, Maternal mortality, Prevention, Research

Annotation: This report presents 97 recommendations developed by the Maine Maternal, Fetal, and Infant Mortality Review (MFIMR) Panel based on reviews of 22 cases of maternal, fetal and infant deaths occurring from July 2023 through December 2024. The 35-member panel reviewed de-identified case narratives to identify contributing factors and develop recommendations to improve health outcomes across 22 thematic areas including cardiovascular care, care coordination, cultural and linguistic support, emergency services, mental health, substance use, and social determinants of health. Panel members prioritized eight recommendations in the areas of mental health, substance use, and cultural/linguistic support, with an additional cross-cutting recommendation on stigma reduction.

Contact: Maine Department of Health and Human Services, Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 11 State House Station, 286 Water Street, Augusta, ME 04333-0011, Telephone: (207) 287-8016 Secondary Telephone: (800) 606-0215 Fax: (207) 287-9058 Web Site: http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/boh

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• MFIMR Panel Website

Keywords: Fatality review, Infant mortality review, Maine, Maternal mortality, Policy development, Protocols, State initiatives, fetal mortality

Annotation: This report presents findings from the Maryland Maternal Health Innovation Program's (MDMOM) facility-based Severe Maternal Morbidity (SMM) Surveillance and Review program for 2024, analyzing 340 SMM events identified at participating hospitals following the passage of the Maternal Health Act of 2024 requiring all birthing hospitals in the state to participate in SMM surveillance beginning in 2025. The program uses a standardized case definition of intensive care unit admission and/or transfusion of four or more units of blood products for pregnant and postpartum patients up to 42 days postpartum. Hospital review committees analyzed events to determine preventability, identify contributing factors, and develop recommendations organized by the "5Rs" framework of readiness, recognition and prevention, response, reporting and system learning, and respectful care. The report documents that 32% of SMM events were potentially preventable, with obstetric hemorrhage being the most common primary cause, and includes demographic characteristics, delivery outcomes, and specific recommendations for preventing future severe maternal morbidity by cause and racial/ethnic disparities in SMM rates.

Contact: MDMOM, Maryland Maternal Health Innovation Program , Baltimore, MD E-mail: https://mdmom.org/contact-us Web Site: https://mdmom.org/

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Keywords: Maryland, Maternal morbidity, Maternal mortality, Population surveillance, Postpartum hemorrhage, Prevention, Standards

Annotation: This workbook provides guidance on addressing fatal injuries, particularly intimate partner violence (IPV), homicide, suicide, and motor vehicle collisions (MVCs), as significant contributors to maternal mortality. It summarizes the evidence on the heightened risks of homicide and suicide for pregnant and postpartum women, with disparities among adolescents, Black women, and those with mental health conditions or IPV history. Environmental factors like poverty, lack of support, and firearm access also play a role. The workbook presents concerning data from Missouri's Pregnancy-Associated Mortality Review on injury-related deaths, finding that homicides and suicides, often involving firearms and IPV, accounted for a significant portion of pregnancy-related mortality. Younger women, Black women, Medicaid participants, and those in metropolitan areas were disproportionately impacted. MVCs were a leading cause of deaths not directly related to pregnancy. Key recommendations are provided for healthcare providers and community organizations to improve screening, intervention, support, and prevention efforts around mental health, IPV, and vehicle safety to reduce maternal injury deaths. Resources and references are included for further training and implementation.

Contact: Missouri Perinatal Quality Collaborative , Missouri PQC, Missouri Hospital Association , 4712 Country Club Drive, Jefferson City, MO 65109-4541, Telephone: 573-893-3700 E-mail: https://mopqc.org/contact Web Site: https://mopqc.org

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Keywords: Data, Guidelines, Injury prevention, Maternal mortality, Missouri, Risk factors, State initiatives

Annotation: This workbook provides guidance for implementing evidence-based practices to improve care for pregnant and postpartum individuals with cardiovascular disease (CVD). It summarizes the evidence on the significant risks of CVD in pregnancy, which can exacerbate pre-existing conditions or lead to new disorders due to the hemodynamic changes of pregnancy. The workbook presents data from Missouri's Pregnancy-Associated Mortality Review, finding that CVD accounted for 30% of pregnancy-related deaths from 2017-2021, with most deemed preventable and Black women disproportionately impacted. To address this crisis, the AIM Cardiac Conditions in Obstetric Care patient safety bundle components are provided, with detailed strategies for implementing universal cardiac risk screening, rapid response protocols, cardio-obstetric teams, care coordination, patient education, and equity-focused data monitoring. Emphasis is placed on early recognition, diagnosis, and treatment to prevent complications and death. Resources and references are included for further training and implementation.

Contact: Missouri Perinatal Quality Collaborative , Missouri PQC, Missouri Hospital Association , 4712 Country Club Drive, Jefferson City, MO 65109-4541, Telephone: 573-893-3700 E-mail: https://mopqc.org/contact Web Site: https://mopqc.org

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Keywords: Cardiovascular diseases, Evidence-based medicine, Guidelines, Maternal morbidity, Maternal mortality, Missouri, Obstetrical complications, Perinatal care, Postpartum care, Prevention, Quality improvement, Resources for professionals, State initiatives

Annotation: This web page from the South Carolina Department of Public Health addresses the state's high maternal mortality rate, which ranks 8th in the United States, noting that nearly 90% of pregnancy-related deaths—the majority of which occur in the postpartum period—are preventable. The site highlights stark disparities, with the mortality rate for non-Hispanic Black women being nearly double that of non-Hispanic White women, and lists the top three leading causes as Infections, Mental Health Conditions/Substance Use Disorder (SUD), and Embolism. The site includes an illustrated list of the urgent maternal warning signs developed by the Council on Patient Safety in Women's Health Care. The page also links to the Tracking Reproductive Health Dashboard and a booklet for new parents.

Contact: South Carolina Department of Public Health , DPH Headquarters , State of South Carolina Health Campus, 400 Otarre Parkway, Cayce, SC 29033, E-mail: https://sc.accessgov.com/sc/Forms/Page/sc/sc-contactus/1 Web Site: https://dph.sc.gov/

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Keywords: Data, Maternal mortality, Postpartum care, Prevention, South Carolina, State health agencies, State initiatives

Annotation: This website showcases the IMPROVE initiative, launched by the National Institutes of Health in 2019, to support research to reduce preventable causes of maternal deaths and improve health for women before, during, and after pregnancy. The site describes the multi-pronged research initiative, emphasizing its focus on those disproportionately affected by maternal morbidity and mortality, including African American/Black, American Indian/Alaska Native populations, people of advanced maternal age, and people with disabilities. Links to research and funding opportunities, webinars and virtual workshops, funded projects, and resources for the public and for researchers are included.

Contact: Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, P.O. Box 3006, Rockville, MD 20847, Telephone: (800) 370-2943 Secondary Telephone: (888) 320-6942 Fax: (866) 760-5947 Web Site: https://www.nichd.nih.gov/Pages/index.aspx

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• Fact Sheet

Keywords: Federal initiatives, Grants , Maternal health, Maternal morbidity, Maternal mortality, Prevention programs, Research, Research programs

Annotation: This report examines international maternal mortality data from 2022, comparing rates across high-income countries with particular focus on racial and ethnic disparities in the United States. It presents data on the timing of pregnancy-related deaths, showing that 65% occur during the postpartum period, and analyzes healthcare workforce capacity by comparing the number of obstetrician-gynecologists and midwives per 1,000 live births across countries. The report also compares federally mandated paid maternity, parental, and home care leave policies among high-income nations, highlighting significant disparities in access to care and support services.

Contact: Commonwealth Fund, One East 75th Street, New York, NY 10021, Telephone: (212) 606-3800 Fax: (212) 606-3500 E-mail: [email protected] Web Site: http://www.commonwealthfund.org

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Keywords: Data, International health, Maternal mortality, Public policy, Statistics, Trends

Annotation: In this podcast episode, host Christie Allen talks with renowned maternal health expert Dr. Elliott Main. A pioneering figure in maternal mortality review and quality care initiatives, Dr. Main discusses the history and evolution of the Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health (AIM). Together, they explore the challenges and triumphs of addressing severe maternal morbidity and mortality in the U.S., the early groundwork that led to AIM, and the collaborative efforts that turned ideas into actionable tools. Dr. Main also shares his thoughts on the future of maternal health and the "one thing" he believes is critical to driving change moving forward. This episode is part of the AIM for Safer Birth series of podcasts that dive deeper into the rising severe maternal morbidity and maternal mortality rates in the United States through a data-driven, quality improvement lens.

Contact: Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health, 409 12th Street, S.W., Washington, DC 20024, E-mail: [email protected] Web Site: https://saferbirth.org/

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Keywords: Collaboration, History, Initiatives, Maternal health, Maternal morbidity, Maternal mortality, Models, Resources for professionals

Annotation: During Black Maternal Health Week, podcast host Christie Allen welcomes two distinguished guests: Congresswoman Lauren Underwood, co-chair of the Black Maternal Health Caucus, and Carole Johnson, Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). Together, they discuss the groundbreaking Enhancing Maternal Health Initiative, the Momnibus legislation, and the urgent need for comprehensive support for maternal health across the United States. This episode is part of the AIM for Better Birth series of podcasts that dive deeper into the rising severe maternal morbidity and maternal mortality rates in the United States through a data-driven, quality improvement lens.

Contact: Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health, 409 12th Street, S.W., Washington, DC 20024, E-mail: [email protected] Web Site: https://saferbirth.org/

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Keywords: Advocacy, Blacks, Health care disparities, Health equity, Legislation, Maternal health, Maternal mortality, Policy development

Annotation: This report examines the critical impact of mental health and substance use disorders on maternal mortality and morbidity in the United States, highlighting how suicide and substance use-related overdoses account for over 20 percent of postpartum deaths. It presents promising approaches from states including Massachusetts, New Jersey, Oregon, New Hampshire, and California that integrate maternity care with behavioral health services and social supports. The report outlines six key recommendations for improving care: supporting dedicated multidisciplinary care teams, centering people with lived experience to drive health equity, normalizing substance use care, training all staff on bias and stigma, expanding the community-based workforce including doulas and peer recovery specialists, and implementing harm reduction and street medicine approaches. The authors emphasize that with nearly every state now providing 12 months of postpartum Medicaid coverage, there are unprecedented opportunities to implement integrated, trauma-informed, non-punitive care models that can significantly reduce maternal mortality and improve outcomes for families.

Contact: Center for Health Care Strategies, 300 American Metro Boulevard, Suite 125, Hamilton, NJ 08619, Telephone: (609) 528-8400 Fax: (609) 586-3679 Web Site: http://www.chcs.org

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Keywords: Substance abusing pregnant women, Community participation, Disorders, Health care reform, Initiatives, Maternal morbidity, Maternal mortality, Medicaid, Mental health, Model programs, Perinatal addiction, Perinatal care, Postpartum care, Quality improvement, Risk factors, Service integration, Substance use disorders

Annotation: This scorecard examines women's health and reproductive care across all U.S. states, analyzing performance through 32 measures organized into three dimensions: health outcomes; health care quality and prevention; and coverage, access, and affordability. It reveals significant regional and racial disparities in health system performance, with northeastern states generally performing better than southeastern and southwestern states. Key findings include: Massachusetts, Vermont, and Rhode Island ranking highest overall while Mississippi, Texas, and Nevada rank lowest; maternal mortality rates being highest in Tennessee, Mississippi, and Louisiana, with rates disproportionately affecting Black and American Indian/Alaska Native women; mental health conditions representing the leading cause of preventable pregnancy-related deaths; women in states without Medicaid expansion facing higher uninsured rates and more frequently skipping care due to cost; and abortion restrictions potentially limiting future access to maternity care providers. The report highlights how state policy choices impact women's health, noting that southeastern states with abortion restrictions generally have fewer maternity care providers, higher maternal mortality, and lower screening rates.

Contact: Commonwealth Fund, One East 75th Street, New York, NY 10021, Telephone: (212) 606-3800 Fax: (212) 606-3500 E-mail: [email protected] Web Site: http://www.commonwealthfund.org

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Keywords: , Barriers, Health disparities, Health services, Maternal health, Maternal mortality, Measures, Statistical data, Women', s health