Search Results: MCHLine

Annotation: This research compendium presents findings from Merck for Mothers' global maternal health initiatives, highlighting evidence gathered since mid-2020 on reducing maternal mortality and addressing health inequities. Marking the organization's 10th anniversary, the report examines three key areas: women's care experiences, causes of maternal deaths, and improving maternity care quality across all healthcare settings. Drawing from over 170 publications, including 40+ peer-reviewed articles, it documents how the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated existing maternal health disparities both between and within countries, with particular impact on underserved communities. Published in 2022, the compendium offers practical tools and insights to help healthcare providers, policymakers, and public health practitioners translate research into action to achieve more equitable maternal health outcomes globally.

Contact: Merck for Mothers, Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ Web Site: http://www.merckformothers.com

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Keywords: International health, Health care disparities, Health equity, Initiatives, Maternal health, Maternal morbidity, Maternal mortality

Annotation: This online reference presents an overview of the postpartum period, including important health considerations and common concerns such as incontinence, hemorrhoids, postpartum depression, and intimate partner violence. The reference outlines the recommended components of postpartum care, including the timing of postnatal visits, and discusses factors that influence the likelihood that new mothers will attend preventive checkups. Health issues that arise during pregnancy and the leading causes of maternal mortality are also addressed. The reference includes postpartum care recommendations released by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the importance of nursing, allied health, and interprofessional team strategies to improve postpartum health care and reduce rates of maternal morbidity and mortality. A list of references is included.

Contact: StatPearls Publishing, Treasure Island, FL E-mail: [email protected] Web Site: https://www.statpearls.com/

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Keywords: Guidelines, Maternal mortality, Postpartum care, Postpartum period, Prevention

Annotation: This fact sheet outlines strategies for incorporating community-based doulas into Medicaid to improve maternal health outcomes. It describes how doulas provide emotional, physical, and informational support during pregnancy and can help reduce high-risk pregnancies, low birthweight babies, and cesarean section rates, particularly benefiting communities with high maternal mortality rates. The document presents three key strategies for state Medicaid agencies and managed care organizations to support doulas in becoming Medicaid providers: engaging doulas in benefit design and implementation, allowing diverse doula training organizations to meet community needs, and simplifying the Medicaid enrollment process. Examples from states like Maryland, New Jersey, Rhode Island, and Virginia illustrate successful approaches such as creating advisory groups, hosting stakeholder meetings, accepting both national and BIPOC-led training organizations, and providing enrollment guidance. The resource emphasizes the importance of a diverse workforce that meets the needs of birthing individuals.

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: Childbirth, Community health services, Doulas, Financing, Health insurance, Maternal mortality, Medicaid, Prevention, State initiatives

Annotation: This paper describes Nurture NJ-- a statewide initiative to help make New Jersey the safest and most equitable place in the nation to give birth and raise a baby. It describes the initiative's strategic plan and the evidence-based maternal mortality reduction programs that Nurture NJ supports. Practices endorsed and described include group prenatal care, improved access to birth attendants (doulas), the development of a statewide maternal care quality collaborative, improvement in data collection, and enhanced community engagement.

Contact: National Governors Association, 444 North Capitol Street, Suite 267, Washington, DC 20001-1512, Telephone: (202) 624-5300 Secondary Telephone: E-mail: [email protected] Web Site: http://www.nga.org Available from the website.

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Keywords: Maternal mortality, Model programs, New Jersey , Prevention, State initiatives

Annotation: This annual report addresses maternal morbidity and mortality in the United States and presents five big ideas on how to tackle the problem. The recommendations are based on white papers prepared by subject matter experts that provide background information and data on maternal mortality in the U.S.; analyze the current maternity care system; explore racism and racial inequity in maternal and health outcomes; and assess the role of Medicaid in understanding and potentially helping to solve the problem. The five big ideas are as follows: (1) Make a national commitment to improvement; (2) Build and support community care models; (3) Redesign insurance around women’s needs; (4) Tackle the racism that undermines women-centered maternity care; and 5) Invest in research, data, and analysis.

Contact: Aspen Institute, 2300 N Street, Suite 700, Washington, DC 20037, Telephone: (202) 736-5800 Fax: (202) 467-0790 Web Site: http://www.aspeninstitute.org Available from the website.

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Keywords: Community health, Health insurance, Maternal morbidity, Maternal mortality, Prevention, Public health, Racial factors, Racism, Women', s health

Annotation: The report evaluates the federal government’s role in addressing racial disparities in maternal health. It includes an overview of maternal disparity data; a description of factors influencing racial disparities in maternal health, morbidity, and mortality; and a review of innovative maternal health programs in Georgia, North Carolina, and New Jersey.

Contact: U. S. Commission on Civil Rights , 1331 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Suite 1150 , Washington, DC 20425, Telephone: (202) 376-7700 Secondary Telephone: (202) 376-8116 Web Site: www.usccr.gov

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Keywords: Federal programs, Health Status disparities, Health care disparities, Maternal health, Maternal morbidity, Maternal mortality, Racial factors, State Initiatives

Annotation: This report presents findings from a review of statewide maternal deaths for the year 2018, conducted by the Arkansas Maternal Mortality Review Committee. Statistics on the timing, causes, and contributing factors are presented for deaths that occurred during pregnancy, or within one year of the end of pregnancy. Pregnancy-associated deaths according to race/ethnicity, insurance type, and age are also delineated. Background information on the Review Committee's work, definitions of key terms, and recommendations to help lower the rate of maternal mortality in Arkansas are included.

Contact: Arkansas Department of Health , Arkansas Maternal Mortality Review Committee, 4815 W. Markham, Little Rock , AR 72205-3867, Telephone: (800) 462-0599 E-mail: https://healthy.arkansas.gov/resources/about-adh/contact-us/adh-contact-form/ Web Site: https://www.healthy.arkansas.gov/programs-services/topics/arkansas-maternal-mortality-review-committee

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

Annotation: This report provides background information on the Oregon Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Review Committee, introduces processes that have been created to operationalize the committee, and presents key findings from case reviews performed in 2020. Based on the data analysis and review, the report includes Committee recommendations on action steps to help eliminate preventable pregnancy-related and pregnancy-associated deaths in Oregon.

Contact: Oregon Health Authority, Public Health Division , 800 NE Oregon Street, Portland , OR 97232, Telephone: 971-673-0252 Secondary Telephone: Fax: (503) 947-2341 E-mail: [email protected] Web Site: https://www.oregon.gov/OHA/PH/Pages/index.aspx

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

Annotation: This evidence review addresses racial inequities in the maternal health care and outlines evidence-informed approaches that address gaps in access to care; adopt and incentivize high-value models of care; diversity the perinatal workforce; and invest in community-based organizations.

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: Health equity, Health status disparities, Maternal Morbidity, Maternal Mortality, Maternal health, Perinatal care, Policy, Postpartum care, Prevention

Annotation: This joint report from the Council on Medical Service and the Council on Science and Public Health presents a comprehensive examination of inequities and access barriers in maternal health care in the United States. The report analyzes root causes of the U.S. maternal mortality crisis, with a particular focus on racial and ethnic disparities in care and outcomes, and challenges in insurance coverage, especially through Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). The report outlines 16 detailed policy recommendations for the American Medical Association focused on 1) acknowledging and addressing the impact of structural racism in maternal care, 2) expanding insurance coverage (particularly postpartum Medicaid/CHIP coverage to 12 months), 3) improving data collection and research on disparities, 4) strengthening cultural humility in care delivery, 5) promoting collaboration with community organizations, and 6)ensuring adequate payment for evidence-based maternal care services. The report emphasizes the need for systemwide changes to improve maternal health outcomes and eliminate inequities through coordinated policy, payment, workforce development, and quality improvement initiatives.

Contact: American Medical Association, 515 North State Street, Chicago, IL 60610, Telephone: (800) 621-8335 Fax: Web Site: http://www.ama-assn.org

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Keywords: Access to care, Barriers, Health equity, Health insurance, Maternal health, Maternal mortality, Medicaid, Policy development, Social Determinants of Health

Annotation: This data brief examines severe maternal morbidity in the United States, which affects approximately 50,000-60,000 women annually. It describes the scope and severity of maternal health complications before, during, and after childbirth, highlighting stark racial and socioeconomic disparities. The brief discusses different definitions and measurement approaches for severe maternal morbidity, common indicators and conditions, risk factors, and implications for health care costs and postpartum health. It also provides recommendations for improving maternal health outcomes and measurement, including expanding insurance coverage and adopting more comprehensive, culturally appropriate care models.

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 , Maternal death, Maternal morbidity, Maternal mortality, Childbirth, Postpartum care

Annotation: This knowledge brief from the World Health Organization (WHO) addresses the implementation of maternal and perinatal death surveillance and response (MPDSR) as part of broader quality of care (QoC) efforts for maternal and newborn health. It explains how MPDSR generates quality information on leading causes of maternal and perinatal deaths that can inform prioritization of quality improvement interventions. The brief presents practical considerations for strengthening synergies between MPDSR and QoC structures and processes at national, subnational, and facility levels, with examples from Ethiopia and Nigeria where MPDSR committees and QoC teams have been successfully aligned or integrated. It includes a framework showing how MPDSR cycle components can connect with the Plan-Do-Study-Act approach used in quality improvement, along with options for organizational structures that promote coordination between MPDSR and QoC activities. The document concludes with emerging questions for implementation and learning that can guide future efforts to maximize the impact of these complementary approaches.

Contact: World Health Organization, 20, Avenue Appia, Geneva, Switzerland , Telephone: (+ 41 22) 791 21 11 Fax: (+ 41 22) 791 3111 E-mail: [email protected] Web Site: http://www.who.int/en

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Keywords: Coordination, Death, International health, Maternal health, Maternal mortality, Perinatal mortality, Population surveillance, Quality improvement, Service integration

Annotation: This report presents the Maternal Wellbeing City Dashboard, a data-driven platform developed by Ariadne Labs' Delivery Decisions Initiative to improve maternal health outcomes in U.S. cities. The dashboard uses a community livability framework to visualize neighborhood-level indicators across eight social determinants of health, with particular focus on reducing racial inequities. The project combines urban planning and public health approaches to center birthing people in local policy and programming. The report documents the dashboard's development process, including stakeholder engagement and pilot testing in Tulsa, Pittsburgh, and New York City. Testing results indicate the dashboard effectively builds knowledge among users and enables local engagement across various stakeholder groups. Key recommendations include improving navigation, enhancing data interaction capabilities, and enabling local customization to foster community building. The dashboard aims to serve as a catalyst for data-informed action to create more livable communities for birthing people through cross-sector collaboration.

Contact: Ariadne Labs, 401 Park Drive, Third Floor WEST , Boston, MA 02115, Telephone: (617) 384-6555 E-mail: [email protected] Web Site: https://www.ariadnelabs.org/

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Keywords: Childbirth, Collaboration, Community participation, Data aggregation, Health care disparities, Health equity, Maternal health, Maternal mortality, Racial factors, Social determinants of health, Urban health

Annotation: This report includes the findings of the Minnesota Department of Health’s Maternal Mortality Review Committee (MMRC) on birthing people who died during or within one year after the end of a pregnancy in 2017-2018. The review includes statistics on pregnancy-related and pregnancy-associated deaths based on race/ethnicity, cause of death, location of death, and pregnancy timing/status (death before, during, or after birth). Based on the data analysis and review, recommendations on action steps that can help prevent maternal mortality are included.

Contact: Minnesota Department of Health, Women & Infant Health Unit, 625 Robert Street North, P.O. Box 64882, St. Paul, MN 55164-0975, Telephone: 651-201-3650 Fax: (651) 201-3590 E-mail: [email protected] Web Site: http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/cfh/program/mch/index.cfm

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

Annotation: This report presents 2017–2018 infant mortality rates in the United States by maternal prepregnancy body mass index, and by infant age at death, maternal age, and maternal race and Hispanic origin.

Contact: National Center for Health Statistics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 3311 Toledo Road, Room 5419, Hyattsville, MD 20782, Telephone: (800) 232-4636 Secondary Telephone: (888) 232-6348 Fax: (301) 458-4020 E-mail: [email protected] Web Site: http://www.cdc.gov/nchs Available from the website.

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Keywords: Infant mortality, Maternal health, Obesity

Annotation: This report presents key perspectives, lessons learned, and policy recommendations for state- and federal-level initiatives that center around the work of doulas and midwives in addressing the nation’s maternal health crisis.The report discusses racial disparities in maternal and infant morbidity and mortality and describes how birth workers can help reduce health risks, particularly among black and indigenous individuals giving birth. Information and perspectives shared by doulas and midwives interviewed for the report fall into three major categories: 1) the role and importance of community-based birth workers and the re-centering of the community in pregnancy-related care; 2) guidelines for health care system integration and the role of government; and 3) the creation of a progressive vision for pregnancy-related care in the United States.

Contact: Center for American Progress, 1333 H Street, N.W., 10th Floor, Washington, DC 20005, Telephone: (202) 682-1611 E-mail: [email protected] Web Site: http://www.americanprogress.org

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Keywords: Alaska natives , American Indians, Barriers, Blacks, Childbirth, Community health services, Maternal health, Maternal morbidity, Maternal mortality, Midwives, Pregnancy, Prevention services, Racial factors, Racism, Risk factors, Social support

Annotation: This report presents findings from a review of statewide maternal deaths for the years 2015-2017 conducted by the Connecticut Maternal Mortality Review Committee. Background information on the state's population, including income and racial disparities, are provided, together with statistics on pregnancy-related and pregnancy-associated deaths. The data is presented by race, insurance type, cause of death, and other variables. Sections on mental health, substance use, and intimate partner violence are included. The report concludes with the Review Committee's recommendations on action that can be taken to help prevent pregnancy-related deaths in Connecticut.

Contact: Connecticut Department of Public Health, 410 Capitol Avenue, Hartford, CT 06134-0308, Telephone: (860) 509-8000 E-mail: [email protected] Web Site: http://www.ct.gov/dph

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

Annotation: This annual report from Indiana Maternal Mortality Review Committee describes the state of maternal mortality in Indiana, including the social factors associated with poor maternal health outcomes. Based on a review of all pregnancy-related and pregnancy-associated deaths that occurred in the state in 2018, the report presents maternal mortality statistics based on the cause of death, race/ethnicity, insurance status, and other variables and contributing factors. Based on the data analysis and review, Committee recommendations on ways to help reduce the rate of preventable maternal deaths are included.

Contact: Indiana Department of Health, 2 North Meridian Street, Indianapolis, IN 46204, Telephone: (317) 233-1325 Web Site: https://www.in.gov/health/

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Keywords: Committees, Data, Maternal death, Maternal mortality, Models, Prevention, State programs, Statistics

Annotation: This chapter examines Medicaid's role in providing maternity care and improving maternal health outcomes in the United States. It describes concerning trends in maternal mortality and morbidity, including racial and ethnic disparities. The chapter provides an overview of Medicaid eligibility and benefits for pregnant women, noting that Medicaid financed over 40% of U.S. births in 2018. It details state and federal efforts to improve maternal care and outcomes through Medicaid, including policies around eligibility, education and outreach, covered benefits, care delivery models, and payment initiatives. The chapter concludes by outlining areas for future Commission work on this topic, such as value-based purchasing and postpartum coverage.

Contact: Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission, 1800 M Street, N.W., Suite 360 South, Washington, DC 20036, Telephone: (202) 350-2000 Fax: (202) 273-2452 E-mail: https://www.macpac.gov/contact-us/ Web Site: http://www.macpac.gov

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Keywords: Maternal death, Maternal morbidity, Maternal mortality, Childbirth, Medicaid

Annotation: This data brief examines trends and disparities in maternal mortality in the United States, with particular focus on racial inequities and state-level variations. It presents comprehensive data showing that the U.S. maternal mortality ratio of 17.4 deaths per 100,000 pregnancies ranks last among industrialized nations, with Black women experiencing 2.5 times higher mortality rates than white women. The document analyzes timing and causes of pregnancy-related deaths, showing that more than half occur after delivery, many during the postpartum period. The brief examines how factors like education level and insurance status impact outcomes and discusses policy implications for improving maternal health care delivery and addressing structural racism in healthcare. The analysis draws on multiple national data sources including vital statistics, CDC surveillance systems, and maternal mortality review committees to present both historical trends and current state-level comparisons.

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, Ethnic factors, Health care disparities, Health equity, Maternal mortality, Policy development, Racial factors, Racism, Trends