Concept
maternal health
Parents
Child Well-beingPregnancy NutritionCesarean HealthChronic Disease PreventionPrevention Science
178.8K
Publications
8.8M
Citations
384.4K
Authors
22K
Institutions
Table of Contents
In this section:
In this section:
In this section:
In this section:
[1] Importance of Maternal Health: Ensuring Safe and Healthy Pregnanc - Longdom — The importance of maternal health. Maternal health plays a vital role in ensuring the health and well-being of both the mother and the child. A healthy pregnancy is essential for the healthy growth and development of the fetus, and it can reduce the risk of infant mortality and morbidity. A healthy pregnancy also helps to reduce the risk of
[2] Why is Maternal Health Crucial to Global Health and Development? — Summing up, maternal health is an incredibly important marker of a country's public health system. More important than its role as a global development indicator is the impact positive maternal health has on societies. Physically and psychologically healthier children, more economically prosperous people, and happier livelihoods.
[3] Maternal and Child Health - American Public Health Association — Maternal and child health is an important public health issue because: * we have the opportunity to end preventable deaths among all women, children and adolescents and to greatly improve their health and well-being. * far too many women, infants and children worldwide still have little or no access to essential, quality health services and
[4] Strategies and Actions: Improving Maternal Health and Reducing Maternal ... — Given the importance of maternal health for our families, communities, and nation, addressing the unacceptable rates of maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity calls for a comprehensive approach that addresses health from well before to well after pregnancy. A singular focus on the perinatal period would ignore upstream health factors associated with chronic conditions as well as
[5] The Importance of Maternal Health Care | Regis College Online — Despite its importance, maternal health care has no shortage of challenges. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), each year in the U.S. approximately 700 women die due to complications associated with pregnancy or delivery. Additionally, more than 80% of deaths associated with pregnancy are preventable.
[8] How does high socioeconomic status affect maternal and neonatal ... — These studies establish an association between low SES and adverse pregnancy outcomes, specifically an increased risk of gestational diabetes (GDM), , preterm birth (PTB) , small for gestational age (SGA) and congenital anomalies . Therefore, the purpose of our study is to assess the effect of high SES on multiple maternal, fetal and pregnancy outcomes, in the hopes that this knowledge will aid in recognizing health disparities for American pregnant patients in a very large database of deliveries. To the best of our knowledge, this is the largest population-based study to examine the effect of SES on multiple pregnancy outcomes, which allowed us to determine statistically significant differences in risk amongst different SES pregnancies when using estimated income based on ZIP code as a measure of SES.
[9] The Impact of Social Determinants of Health on Maternal and Child ... — Introduction. The influence of social determinants of health on maternal and child health outcomes is significant. Social determinants of health encompass a broad spectrum of factors, including but not limited to socioeconomic status, employment, education, housing, healthcare access, and social support systems, and they pertain to the circumstances in which individuals are born, raised
[10] Examining socioeconomic factors influencing maternal health in ... — These disparities contribute to varying maternal health outcomes, emphasizing the critical need for targeted interventions. The study recommends tailored strategies, encompassing improved healthcare access, educational initiatives, workplace support, and policy enhancements to address socioeconomic inequalities in maternal health effectively.
[11] Social and Structural Determinants of Health Inequities in Maternal ... — Substantial new research shows significant improvements in access to health coverage for women of childbearing age achieved through the adoption of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act's (ACA) provisions for expanded Medicaid eligibility to adults earning up to 138% of the federal poverty level.31 A review of emergent research found that states that expanded Medicaid eligibility improved the health of women of childbearing age by increasing access to preventive care; reducing adverse health outcomes before, during, and after pregnancies; and reducing incidence of maternal mortality.31 Moreover, expansion states experienced significant reductions in Black–White disparities in adverse birth outcomes shortly after the policy went into effect32 and a 50% reduction in infant mortality, with the greatest declines among Black/African American infants.33 Am J Public Health 2015;105:1681–1688 [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar] Am J Public Health 2018;108:565–567 [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
[12] Charting the nation's path toward stronger maternal health — On Maternal Health Awareness Day (January 23), legislators, health care professionals and families alike can raise awareness about maternal health issues, including maternal mortality and morbidity, access to quality health care and improving the outcomes for mothers before and after pregnancy.
[13] Strategies and Actions: Improving Maternal Health and Reducing Maternal Mortality and Morbidity — While states, tribes, and local communities help to ensure infrastructure and programmatic support for maternal health, individual healthcare professionals provide education, support, and care for women before, during, and after pregnancy. Utilize data to inform strategies for improving maternal health and support provider participation in quality improvement efforts in states and local communities, such as PQCs. Track trends in quality of care and health care utilization and develop approaches that may reduce identified disparities. Conduct research to identify, develop, and rigorously test clinical interventions to address risk factors; identify healthcare factors (e.g., quality of care); and provide insights into healthcare delivery approaches (e.g., care coordination, innovative models of care) for improving access to high-quality maternal health care.
[17] Four Years of Progress on Maternal and Child Health | MCHB — Advancing maternal health through health centers. HRSA launched new community health center maternal health care innovations to improve early access to prenatal care and expand care services for new moms and their babies; health centers have delivered high quality prenatal care to more than two million patients over the last four years.
[18] Biden-Harris Administration Awards Over $558 Million to Improve ... — Today, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced more than $558 million in funding to improve maternal health, building on the Biden-Harris Administration's commitment to reducing the nation's high maternal mortality rate through the White House Blueprint for Addressing the Maternal Health Crisis.The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), an agency of HHS
[50] U.S. Maternal Mortality Within a Global Context: Historical Trends ... — In the United States, despite significant investment and the efforts of multiple maternal health stakeholders, maternal mortality (MM) has reemerged since 1987 and MM disparity has persisted since 1935. This article provides a review of the U.S. MM trajectory throughout its history up to its current …
[51] 1030 Intro to Maternity. Self Study - Key Milestones in the History and ... — Key Milestones in the History and Evolution of Maternal and Newborn Healthcare - Pre-20th Century: Traditional midwifery, high maternal and infant mortality rates, limited medical interventions.
[54] Revolutionizing Maternal Health: The Role of Artificial Intelligence in ... — This review explores the transformative role of AI in maternal healthcare, focusing on its applications in the early detection of pregnancy complications, personalized care, and remote monitoring through AI-driven technologies. By leveraging AI technologies, healthcare systems can address significant gaps in maternal health services, thereby improving the quality and reach of care. AI-Driven Predictive Models Identifying risk factors for maternal mental health conditions Helps healthcare providers intervene early to prevent severe conditions Predictive models analyzing risk based on social and clinical data By validating these technologies through clinical trials, the maternal healthcare community can establish evidence-based practices that enhance care quality and accessibility, ultimately leading to improved health outcomes for mothers and their infants .
[55] Using human rights to improve maternal and neonatal health: history ... — It was not until the late 20th century that maternal mortality started to be recognized as a public-health concern. The International Safe Motherhood Initiative, launched in 1987, gave a huge impetus to programmes, interventions and advocacy aimed at reducing maternal mortality worldwide.
[57] History of public health in the United States - Wikipedia — The history of public health in the United states studies the US history of public health roles of the medical and nursing professions; scientific research; municipal sanitation; the agencies of local, state and federal governments; and private philanthropy. Since the mid-19th century there has been an emphasis on laboratory science and training professional medical and nursing personnel to handle public health roles, and setting up city, state and federal agencies. In the United States, a representative public health worker was Dr. Sara Josephine Baker who established many programs to help the poor in New York City keep their infants healthy, leading teams of nurses into the crowded neighborhoods of Hell's Kitchen and teaching mothers how to dress, feed, and bathe their babies.
[65] Transitioning to midwifery models of care: Launch of the World Health ... — Midwives, with the support of interdisciplinary teams, could meet up to 90% of the global need for essential sexual, reproductive, maternal, newborn and adolescent health interventions throughout the life span. In the pursuit of universal health coverage, transitioning to midwifery models of care represents a cost-effective strategy to optimize outcomes for women and newborns with minimal use
[66] WHO urges expansion of lifesaving midwifery care for women and babies — The publication, Transitioning to midwifery models of care: A global position paper, outlines the benefits and key components of midwifery care models, where midwives serve, within broader teams, as the main healthcare provider for women and babies during pregnancy, childbirth and the postnatal period.
[67] Potential impact of midwives in preventing and reducing maternal and ... — The 2014 Lancet Series on Midwifery showed that interventions provided by the midwifery workforce could reduce maternal and newborn deaths and stillbirths in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) by 30-80%, depending on the level of intervention coverage. 2 The Series showed that more efficient use of resources and improved outcomes
[68] Improving Our Maternity Care Now Through Midwifery - PMC — This report outlines the evidence that supports midwifery’s unique value across different communities, the safety and effectiveness of midwifery care in improving maternal and infant outcomes, the interest of birthing people in midwifery care, and the current availability of, and access to, midwifery services in the United States. Yet in the United States, midwives attend only about 10 percent of births; in nearly all other nations, midwives provide the majority of first-line maternity care to childbearing people and newborns, with far better outcomes. These include: Lack of support and funding for midwifery education, inconsistent Medicaid reimbursement for midwifery services, lack of state-level recognition of all nationally recognized midwifery credentials, and restrictive state practice laws that prohibit midwives from practicing to the full scope of their competencies and education.
[80] Influential Figures in Maternal and Infant Health — Dr. Virginia Apgar was an obstetrical anesthesiologist whose work transformed infant health, most notably her contribution of the Apgar Scoring system in 1953. Dr. Apgar created the Apgar Score as a means of quickly assessing newborns' health after birth based on their heart rate, breathing, reflex response, muscle tone, and skin color.
[82] U.S. Maternal Mortality Within a Global Context: Historical Trends ... — One of the greatest public health achievements of the 20th century in the United States was the decline of MMR from >800 in 1900 to its lowest point of 6.6 in 1987 (Fig. 1).17 The steady decline of MMR over these 8.5 decades might be attributed to several factors: environmental interventions; improvements in nutrition, surveillance and monitoring of diseases, access to health care, and standard of living; advances in clinical medicine; increases in education; and technical and political changes implemented over time (e.g., MM reviews in the 1930s, shift from home to hospital births in the1940s, use of antibiotics and transfusions in the 1950s, and implementation of Medicaid in the 1960s).13,27,28 However, MMR gradually reversed course and doubled from 6.6 in 1987 to 12.1 in 2003.17 Similarly, an ascending trend for PRMR from 7.2 in 1987 to 16.9 in 2016 was observed (Fig. 1).25 Contributing factors to the increasing trend of U.S. MMR may include poor data quality due to the lack of interoperability of MM measures and harmonization of reporting artifacts over time (e.g., the evolution of cause-of-death codes for maternal death from ICD-1 to ICD-10 and use of the pregnancy checkbox on the death certificate); disparities in health care access and quality; increasing maternal age, coupled with high prevalence of comorbid conditions surrounding pregnancies and pregnancy-associated conditions (e.g., gestational diabetes, preeclampsia); and other social determinants of health (SDOH).3,29–34
[90] How to reverse the decline in U.S. maternal health — Technology. Using remote monitoring and telehealth technology for postpartum care would help avoid costly and dangerous rehospitalizations. For example, 10 percent of breastfeeding mothers develop mastitis infections and visit the emergency room, when the condition can be easily diagnosed through a telehealth appointment and treated with antibiotics at home.
[91] ProgenyHealth Releases 2025 Key Trends and Insights Report on Maternal ... — The state of maternal and infant health in America remains precarious. By now, the sobering data has become all too familiar - The United States' mortality rate is the highest of all high-income nations. Tragically, as many as 80% of maternal deaths, many of which occur in the first 42 days after giving birth, are preventable.
[98] Inequities in Adequacy of Prenatal Care and Shifts in Rural/Urban ... — By delivering essential services to pregnant people in underserved areas, telehealth supports routine care that is essential for reducing pregnancy complications and bolstering maternal and infant health (Lin et al., 2022). Therefore, embracing virtual care solutions can be instrumental in ensuring more equitable health care provision across
[99] Why are Black maternal mortality rates so high? — Maternal mortality rates: Black vs. white in the U.S. Based on most recent estimates, non-Hispanic Black women are 2.6 times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than white women. For Black women 25 and older, pregnancy-related mortality is about four times higher than it is for white women of similar ages, according to data
[100] Solving the Black Maternal Health Crisis - Johns Hopkins — Introduced by The Black Maternal Health Caucus, the package proposes big changes in maternal health through 12 standalone bills that address the full slate of socio-economic factors that impact a pregnancy, including investing in the social determinants of health, growing and diversifying the perinatal workforce, and improving data collection for maternal health.
[101] Listen to the Whispers before They Become Screams: Addressing Black ... — We explore how structural racism contributes to a greater risk of adverse obstetric outcomes among Black women in the U.S. We also propose public health, healthcare systems, and community-engaged approaches to decrease racial disparities in maternal morbidity and mortality. The stark racial disparities in adverse pregnancy outcomes in the U.S. requires a deeper exploration into the role of social determinants and how structural racism contributes to a greater risk of adverse obstetric outcomes among Black women in the U.S. These social determinants include, but are not limited to, neighborhood environments such as access to healthy food, neighborhood safety, housing, air pollution, pest, and mold exposure; environmental exposures including experiences of racism, discrimination, acculturation, and immigration; socioeconomic status factors such as income, education, and occupation; housing conditions; and health care access and quality.
[102] Exploring the social determinants of racial/ethnic disparities in ... — Black women are also more likely to be late to prenatal care or be inadequate users of prenatal care. Prenatal care … Rates of maternal morbidity and mortality are rising in the United States. Non-Hispanic Black women are at highest risk for these outcomes compared to those of other race/ethnicities. ... social determinants of health, and
[103] Johns Hopkins Receives NIH Award to Strengthen Maternal Health in the U ... — Johns Hopkins has been awarded a grant from the NIH to establish a Maternal Health Data Innovation and Coordination Hub with the aim of advancing knowledge of effective interventions to improve outcomes for mothers in the U.S. The Data Hub is a component of the newly established Maternal Health Research Centers of Excellence, part of NIH's Implementing a Maternal Health and PRegnancy
[104] Revolutionizing Maternal Health: The Role of Artificial Intelligence in ... — This review explores the transformative role of AI in maternal healthcare, focusing on its applications in the early detection of pregnancy complications, personalized care, and remote monitoring through AI-driven technologies. By leveraging AI technologies, healthcare systems can address significant gaps in maternal health services, thereby improving the quality and reach of care. AI-Driven Predictive Models Identifying risk factors for maternal mental health conditions Helps healthcare providers intervene early to prevent severe conditions Predictive models analyzing risk based on social and clinical data By validating these technologies through clinical trials, the maternal healthcare community can establish evidence-based practices that enhance care quality and accessibility, ultimately leading to improved health outcomes for mothers and their infants .
[108] The role of health professional organizations in improving maternal and ... — The FIGO LOGIC Initiative had three clear objectives to support the mission of these associations: (1) to strengthen their capacity to be effective organizations; (2) to influence national policies on maternal and newborn health; and (3) to work to improve clinical practice in the area of maternal and newborn health. 2.1 Capacity building
[109] The U.S. Government and Global Maternal and Child Health Efforts — MCH funding is also provided through the International Organizations & Programs account at the State Department for the U.S. contribution to UNICEF and through CDC's global immunization programs
[110] Global initiatives in maternal and newborn health - PMC — The latter are often determined by education, residence, economic status, and/or age, as well as race and ethnicity. 4,7 In addition, the quality of maternal and newborn care has not always been optimal or evidence-based. 8-10 Poor quality of care is associated with increased health risks and poor health outcomes, including higher maternal
[111] PDF — Understanding the systemic causes of maternal mortality, particularly in underserved communities, is critical to reducing the number of preventable deaths (Sanyaolu et al., 2023). Addressing healthcare disparities requires a multifaceted approach that includes improving access to care, enhancing the quality of services, and tackling the social determinants of health. This will explore the
[123] Recent federal action advances key maternal health policies — This policy change is one of several key policy measures aimed at mitigating the worsening maternal health crisis across the United States. In 2020, over 800 women died due to pregnancy or childbirth related complications, of which at least 80 percent of deaths were preventable, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
[124] State Policy Trends to Improve Perinatal Health Outcomes — The perinatal health policy landscape is undergoing significant changes in response to the country's escalating maternal mortality rate and fractured state of maternal care delivery. States are exploring and implementing policies that affect postpartum care, midwives, doulas, and freestanding birth centers.
[125] Improving Maternal Health Outcomes: State Policy Actions and ... — Improving Maternal Health Outcomes: State Policy Actions and Opportunities - Center for Health Care Strategies In addition to policy efforts, such as provider bias training, there are other early examples of states implementing race explicit strategies to impact maternal health outcomes, including community-based approaches. Focus Areas Adults with Complex Health & Social Needs Child & Family Health Community & Family Engagement Cross-Sector Partnership Delivery System & Payment Reform Health Equity Leadership & Capacity Building Long-Term Services & Supports Medicare & Medicaid Integration Population Health & Prevention Trauma-Informed Care
[135] PDF — Factors such as geographic location, socioeconomic status, race, ethnicity, and access to healthcare play crucial roles in determining maternal health outcomes (Okpokoro et al., Maternal Mortality and Healthcare Disparities: Addressing Systemic Inequities in .. In the U.S., systemic racism, healthcare access issues, and social determinants of health contribute to disproportionately high maternal mortality rates among Black, Indigenous, and rural women. While addressing maternal health disparities presents significant challenges, overcoming structural barriers and implementing sustainable solutions is critical to improving maternal outcomes for marginalized populations (Bond et al., 2021; Taylor and Weerasinghe, 2020) By addressing systemic racism within healthcare institutions and investing in reducing socioeconomic and geographic disparities, healthcare systems can make meaningful progress in reducing maternal mortality and morbidity.
[137] PDF — The maternal mortality rate for non-Hispanic black women in the US was 2.5 times the rate for non-Hispanic white women in the US. We wanted to determine how healthcare services and insurance coverage play a role in the high maternal mortality rates in the United States, with a focus on the maternal mortality of black women. Due
[138] Eight steps for narrowing the maternal health disparity gap — Despite these alarming trends in maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity rates and entrenched racial and ethnic disparities in such outcomes, 60% of pregnancy-related deaths and severe maternal morbidities in the United States are thought to be preventable.6, A recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) review of maternal deaths across nine states found that the deaths were related to clinician, facility and system factors, such as inadequate training, missed or delayed diagnosis of complications, poor communication and lack of coordination between clinicians.6,7 These findings and others reinforce the fact that any efforts to reduce maternal mortality must focus on ensuring quality and safety of maternity care for all women.
[140] Maternal Nutritional Deficiencies and Interventions - PMC — Apart from dietary deficiency, malaria, hookworm, and other helminthic infestations also require treatment to reduce anemia. Forty percent of maternal mortality incidences in India are directly or indirectly related to anemia. Maternal mortality rate (MMR) increases 8-10 times when hemoglobin is less than 5 g %.
[141] The Risk of Maternal Nutritional Depletion and Poor Outcomes Increases ... — An adequate supply of nutrients is probably the single most important environmental factor affecting pregnancy outcome. Women with early or closely spaced pregnancies are at increased risk of entering a reproductive cycle with reduced reserves. Maternal nutrient depletion may contribute to the increased incidence of preterm births and fetal growth retardation among these women as well as the
[143] Micronutrient deficiencies in pregnancy worldwide: health effects and ... — Micronutrient deficiencies in pregnancy worldwide: health effects and prevention - PubMed Search in PubMed Micronutrient deficiencies in pregnancy worldwide: health effects and prevention Micronutrient deficiencies in pregnancy worldwide: health effects and prevention Women in low-income countries often enter pregnancy malnourished, and the demands of gestation can exacerbate micronutrient deficiencies with health consequences for the fetus. While extensive mechanistic and association research links multiple antenatal micronutrients with plausible materno-fetal health advantages, hypothesized benefits have often been absent, minimal or unexpected in trials. Multiple-micronutrient supplementation for women during pregnancy. Multiple-micronutrient supplementation for women during pregnancy. Micronutrient Supplementation for Pregnant and Lactating Women to Improve Maternal and Infant Nutritional Status in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: Protocol for a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.
[154] The effectiveness of training in emergency obstetric care: a systematic ... — Training in EmOC is provided in many countries to ensure healthcare providers working in maternity care are able to recognize women who have complications during pregnancy or at the time of birth, and to prevent and manage these complications effectively such that maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality is reduced.
[155] 6 Making It Happen: Training health-care providers in emergency ... — Obstetric complications require prompt action by skilled health-care providers/birth attendants; any delay - including at the health facility level - can result in loss of life and/or poor maternal health outcomes . Poor quality of maternal and newborn care (NC) is associated with poor implementation of evidence-based interventions
[156] A scoping review on continuing professional development programs for ... — Midwives play a pivotal role in ensuring safe childbirth, particularly in the management of obstetric emergencies and complications (EmONC). Continuous Professional Development (CPD) programs are essential to keep midwives updated with the latest skills and knowledge, ensuring high-quality maternal care. The study aimed to map and synthesize evidence on continuing professional development for
[157] Preventing Pregnancy-Related Deaths | Maternal Mortality Prevention | CDC — Preventing Pregnancy-Related Deaths What is a pregnancy-related death? More than 80% of pregnancy-related deaths are preventable. What factors contribute to pregnancy-related deaths? For more information on health disparities, which are preventable differences in the burden of disease, injury, and violence, please visit CDC's Health Equity website. Starting prenatal care early, seeing a health care provider throughout the pregnancy, and being sure to attend postpartum visits can help to prevent and treat severe pregnancy-related complications. What is CDC doing to prevent pregnancy-related deaths? CDC is committed to preventing pregnancy-related deaths and ensuring the best possible birth outcomes. Pregnancy-related deaths can occur during and up to a year after pregnancy. CDC's Division of Reproductive Health is committed to preventing pregnancy-related deaths and ensuring the best possible birth outcomes.
[158] Many pregnancy-related complications going undetected and untreated - WHO — Haemorrhage – severe heavy bleeding – and hypertensive disorders like preeclampsia are the leading causes of maternal deaths globally, according to a new study released today by the World Health Organization (WHO). In addition, most countries do not report on late maternal deaths (those that occur in the year following childbirth), although several conditions can lead to risks lasting much beyond the birth itself. Maternal causes of death are grouped into categories aligned with the International Classification of Diseases-Maternal Mortality (ICD-MM) coding: abortion (relating to miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy and induced abortion), embolism, haemorrhage, hypertensive disorders, pregnancy-related sepsis, other direct causes, and indirect causes described above.
[159] Maternal Mortality in the United States: Updates on Trends, Causes, and ... — Key interventions to improve maternal health outcomes include 1) integrating multidisciplinary care for women with high-risk comorbidities during preconception care, pregnancy, postpartum, and beyond; 2) addressing structural racism and the social determinants of health; 3) implementing hospital-wide safety bundles with team training and simulation; 4) providing patient education on early warning signs for medical complications of pregnancy; and 5) regionalizing maternal levels of care so that women with risk factors are supported when delivering at facilities with specialized care teams. State-based maternal mortality review committees (MMRCs) are the gold standard in identifying and reviewing pregnancy-associated and pregnancy-related deaths because they are made of a multidisciplinary team that reviews all available data, including prenatal records, hospital records, and autopsy reports. Health care policy to improve funding and resources for standardized, state-based review of pregnancy-related deaths are important steps to reverse rising rates and close persistent inequities in maternal morbidity and mortality.
[172] MATERNAL HEALTH - 2022 National Healthcare Quality and Disparities ... — Homicide is the leading cause of death during pregnancy and within 42 days postpartum in the United States. 14. ... and resulting mistrust of the healthcare system contribute to systemic disparities in maternal health outcomes. 19, 28, 29, 30 ... For most maternal health measures included in the NHQDR, disparities are significant for
[173] Racial Disparities in Maternal and Infant Health: Current Status and ... — These include efforts to expand access to coverage and care, increase access to a broader array of services and providers that support maternal and infant health, diversify the health care workforce, and enhance data collection and reporting. Research has documented that social and economic factors, racism, and chronic stress contribute to poor maternal and infant health outcomes, including higher rates of perinatal depression and preterm birth among Black women and higher rates of mortality among Black infants. These include efforts to expand access to coverage and care, increase access to a broader array of services and providers that support maternal and infant health, diversify the health care workforce, and enhance data collection and reporting.
[174] Eight steps for narrowing the maternal health disparity gap — Despite these alarming trends in maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity rates and entrenched racial and ethnic disparities in such outcomes, 60% of pregnancy-related deaths and severe maternal morbidities in the United States are thought to be preventable.6, A recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) review of maternal deaths across nine states found that the deaths were related to clinician, facility and system factors, such as inadequate training, missed or delayed diagnosis of complications, poor communication and lack of coordination between clinicians.6,7 These findings and others reinforce the fact that any efforts to reduce maternal mortality must focus on ensuring quality and safety of maternity care for all women.
[175] Reducing Disparities in Severe Maternal Morbidity and Mortality — For instance, in one study, adjustment for maternal age, income, hypertension, gestational age at delivery, and receipt of prenatal care only reduced odds ratios for pregnancy-related mortality from 3.07 (95% CI 2.0–4.54) to 2.65 (95% CI 1.73–4.07).19 Another study found the largest racial disparity among women with the lowest risk of pregnancy-related disease.3 Data suggest that a web of factors including higher prevalence of comorbidities and pregnancy complications, lower socioeconomic status, and less access to prenatal care, contribute to but do not fully explain the elevated rates of severe maternal morbidity and mortality among racial and ethnic minority women.
[176] Social and Structural Determinants of Health Inequities in Maternal ... — Substantial new research shows significant improvements in access to health coverage for women of childbearing age achieved through the adoption of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act's (ACA) provisions for expanded Medicaid eligibility to adults earning up to 138% of the federal poverty level.31 A review of emergent research found that states that expanded Medicaid eligibility improved the health of women of childbearing age by increasing access to preventive care; reducing adverse health outcomes before, during, and after pregnancies; and reducing incidence of maternal mortality.31 Moreover, expansion states experienced significant reductions in Black–White disparities in adverse birth outcomes shortly after the policy went into effect32 and a 50% reduction in infant mortality, with the greatest declines among Black/African American infants.33 Am J Public Health 2015;105:1681–1688 [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar] Am J Public Health 2018;108:565–567 [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
[177] Solving the Black Maternal Health Crisis - Johns Hopkins — Introduced by The Black Maternal Health Caucus, the package proposes big changes in maternal health through 12 standalone bills that address the full slate of socio-economic factors that impact a pregnancy, including investing in the social determinants of health, growing and diversifying the perinatal workforce, and improving data collection for maternal health.
[179] A Thematic Analysis of Stigma and Disclosure for Perinatal Depression ... — Results: Two major themes were identified: stigma and negative experiences of disclosure. Stigma had 3 subthemes: internal stigma, external stigma, and treatment stigma. Many women were concerned about feeling like a "bad" or "failed" mother and worried that if they disclosed their symptoms to a health care provider they would be stigmatized.
[180] Racial and ethnic disparities in access to community-based perinatal ... — Background Perinatal mental health is a major public health problem that disproportionately affects people from racial and ethnic minority groups. Community-based perinatal mental health programs, such as peer support groups, are essential tools for the prevention and treatment of perinatal depression. Yet, little is known about racial and ethnic disparities in accessibility and utilization of
[185] Eight steps for narrowing the maternal health disparity gap — Despite these alarming trends in maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity rates and entrenched racial and ethnic disparities in such outcomes, 60% of pregnancy-related deaths and severe maternal morbidities in the United States are thought to be preventable.6, A recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) review of maternal deaths across nine states found that the deaths were related to clinician, facility and system factors, such as inadequate training, missed or delayed diagnosis of complications, poor communication and lack of coordination between clinicians.6,7 These findings and others reinforce the fact that any efforts to reduce maternal mortality must focus on ensuring quality and safety of maternity care for all women.
[189] Grassroots Maternal and Child Health Initiative — The Grassroots Maternal and Child Health Initiative builds the capacity of individuals and organizations in marginalized communities to bring about systems change to improve maternal and child health (MCH) outcomes. Vision. Mothers, infants, and families live in communities that foster their health, well-being and development. Approach
[217] WHO recommendations on maternal and newborn care for a positive ... — 1.1. Background. Global strategies, including the Global Strategy for Women's, Children's and Adolescents' Health (2016-2030) (), Strategies toward Ending Preventable Maternal Mortality (), the Every Newborn Action Plan and other initiatives (4, 5) recognize the postnatal period, defined here as beginning immediately after the birth of the baby and extending up to six weeks (42 days
[218] Are maternal morbidity and mortality preventable? - NICHD — Improving maternal health could prevent many maternal deaths. 1 Knowing about risk factors allows healthcare providers and pregnant women to work together to watch before, during, and after the pregnancy and birth; identify problems; and take steps to fix problems before they become serious. Doing so may reduce the risk of long-term problems
[219] Essential interventions for maternal, newborn and child health ... — Similarly, access to antenatal health visits and medicines can prevent death from hypertensive disorders, while death due to sepsis can be averted by screening for prenatal maternal infection and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) during antenatal visits and with hygienic infection control measures during birth provided by SBA.
[223] Role of community engagement in maternal health in rural Pakistan ... — Background: Community-based strategies to promote maternal health can help raise awareness of pregnancy danger signs and preparations for emergencies. The objective of this study was to assess change in birth preparedness and complication readiness (BPCR) and pregnant women's knowledge about pre-eclampsia as part of community engagement (CE) activities in rural Pakistan during the Community
[224] PDF — Raising the Bar for Maternal Health Equity and Excellence 65 CoMMuNITY PARTNER RoLE 2. Build trusting relationships with the community to improve maternal health. Trusted relationships between healthcare institutions and the community are foundational to the high-quality, culturally centered, respectful care needed for the best possible outcomes
[225] The development and implementation of a community engagement strategy ... — Through in-depth interview and focus group discussions with women of reproductive age (WRA), pregnant women, household decision makers, formal and informal health care providers, local health authorities, community leaders and other influencers, the feasibility study identified a number of maternal health barriers that formed topics to be addressed by our CE strategy. The use of a recognized local structure (community leaders, nurses, CHW and local activists) allowed greater acceptance of CE activities and understanding district differences, engaging household decision-makers and community leaders to build local support for maternal health and flexibility to tailor messages to local needs were important in developing sustainable forms of community engagement.
[226] Community Health Workers: Essential to Advancing Health Equity for Mothers — A recent study from Bowling Green State University underscores the transformative role of Community Health Workers in improving maternal and child health outcomes. This research highlights how CHWs serve as vital links between healthcare systems and under-resourced communities, helping mothers access care, navigate complex systems, and achieve better health outcomes for themselves and their
[227] The roles of community health workers who provide maternal and newborn ... — The roles of community health workers who provide maternal and newborn health services: case studies from Africa and Asia ... provide health education and screen for maternal health conditions. Therapeutic care, skilled antenatal care, birth attendance and provision of long-acting reversible contraceptives are provided by Level 2
[228] How Community Health Workers Can Support Your Maternal and Child Health ... — A maternal and child health program can greatly improve pregnancy outcomes by helping women of all ages access preventive and curative healthcare. And community health workers are the perfect bridge between women and healthcare providers: They're equipped to advocate, educate, and encourage the habits that ultimately lead to successful
[230] The development and implementation of a community engagement strategy ... — Through in-depth interview and focus group discussions with women of reproductive age (WRA), pregnant women, household decision makers, formal and informal health care providers, local health authorities, community leaders and other influencers, the feasibility study identified a number of maternal health barriers that formed topics to be addressed by our CE strategy. The use of a recognized local structure (community leaders, nurses, CHW and local activists) allowed greater acceptance of CE activities and understanding district differences, engaging household decision-makers and community leaders to build local support for maternal health and flexibility to tailor messages to local needs were important in developing sustainable forms of community engagement.
[231] Bridging Healthcare Gaps: The Impact of Community-Based Midwifery — Community-based midwifery is a powerful tool in bridging healthcare gaps and improving maternal and newborn health outcomes. By increasing access to skilled care, fostering cultural sensitivity and trust, and providing comprehensive and holistic care, community-based midwives play a crucial role in addressing healthcare disparities.
[232] Health education strategies targeting maternal and child health — Only 1 included article did not report improved outcomes with the continuation of health education activities into postpartum. The educational strategy reported by Hoddinott et al was designed using a group-based methodology and delivered via 10 weekly meetings conducted by health professionals. Therefore, health education initiatives designed to increase such outcomes (initiation or continuation of exclusive breastfeeding) could be designed using different strategies, as presented by Burkhalter and Marin, Zimmerman, Rosen et al, Turan and Say, MacArthur et al, Hoddinott et al or Volpe and Bear. It is important to consider the different results of initiation and continuation of exclusive breastfeed presented, including negative results in some cases. The systematic review developed by Silva et al indicated that health education strategies conducted by group-based or home-based methodologies and guided by professionals or non-professionals have contributed to reduced prematurity, reduced low birth weights and increased prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding.
[245] How does high socioeconomic status affect maternal and neonatal ... — These studies establish an association between low SES and adverse pregnancy outcomes, specifically an increased risk of gestational diabetes (GDM), , preterm birth (PTB) , small for gestational age (SGA) and congenital anomalies . Therefore, the purpose of our study is to assess the effect of high SES on multiple maternal, fetal and pregnancy outcomes, in the hopes that this knowledge will aid in recognizing health disparities for American pregnant patients in a very large database of deliveries. To the best of our knowledge, this is the largest population-based study to examine the effect of SES on multiple pregnancy outcomes, which allowed us to determine statistically significant differences in risk amongst different SES pregnancies when using estimated income based on ZIP code as a measure of SES.
[246] Social and Structural Determinants of Health Inequities in Maternal ... — Substantial new research shows significant improvements in access to health coverage for women of childbearing age achieved through the adoption of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act's (ACA) provisions for expanded Medicaid eligibility to adults earning up to 138% of the federal poverty level.31 A review of emergent research found that states that expanded Medicaid eligibility improved the health of women of childbearing age by increasing access to preventive care; reducing adverse health outcomes before, during, and after pregnancies; and reducing incidence of maternal mortality.31 Moreover, expansion states experienced significant reductions in Black–White disparities in adverse birth outcomes shortly after the policy went into effect32 and a 50% reduction in infant mortality, with the greatest declines among Black/African American infants.33 Am J Public Health 2015;105:1681–1688 [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar] Am J Public Health 2018;108:565–567 [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
[265] Maternal health - World Health Organization (WHO) — Select language Donate Donate Home Health Topics All topics A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Resources Fact sheets Facts in pictures Multimedia Podcasts Publications Questions and answers Tools and toolkits Popular Dengue Endometriosis Excessive heat Herpes Mental disorders Mpox Countries All countries A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Regions Africa Americas Europe Eastern Mediterranean South-East Asia Western Pacific WHO in countries Data by country Country presence Country strengthening Country cooperation strategies Newsroom All news News releases Statements Campaigns Events Feature stories Press conferences Speeches Commentaries Photo library Headlines Emergencies Focus on Cholera Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) Greater Horn of Africa Israel and occupied Palestinian territory Mpox Sudan Ukraine Latest Disease Outbreak News Situation reports Weekly Epidemiological Record WHO in emergencies Surveillance Operations Research Funding Partners Health emergency appeals International Health Regulations Independent Oversight and Advisory Committee Data Data at WHO Data hub Global Health Estimates Mortality Health inequality Dashboards Triple Billion Progress Health Inequality Monitor Delivery for impact COVID-19 dashboard Data collection Classifications SCORE Surveys Civil registration and vital statistics Routine health information systems Harmonized health facility assessment GIS centre for health Reports World Health Statistics UHC global monitoring report About WHO About WHO Partnerships Committees and advisory groups Collaborating centres Technical teams Organizational structure Who we are Our work Activities Initiatives General Programme of Work WHO Academy Funding Investment in WHO WHO Foundation Accountability External audit Financial statements Internal audit and investigations Programme Budget Results reports Governance Governing bodies World Health Assembly Executive Board Member States Portal Home/ Health topics/ Maternal health WHO/Yoshi Shimizu © Credits Maternal health Overview Maternal health refers to the health of women during pregnancy, childbirth and the postnatal period. Although important progress has been made in the last two decades, about 287 000 women died during and following pregnancy and childbirth in 2020. The most common direct causes of maternal injury and death are excessive blood loss, infection, high blood pressure, unsafe abortion, and obstructed labour, as well as indirect causes such as anemia, malaria, and heart disease. Most maternal deaths are preventable with timely management by a skilled health professional working in a supportive environment. WHO Response Improving maternal health is one of WHO’s key priorities, grounded in a human rights approach and linked to efforts on universal health coverage.
[268] Maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health and ageing — Global Strategy for Women’s, Children’s and Adolescents’ Health Data Portal Global Strategy for Women’s, Children’s and Adolescents’ Health Data Portal This Global Strategy includes a monitoring framework with 60 indicators, (of which 16 are key) to help countries and their partners promote accountability in ending preventable deaths (“Survive”), ensuring health and well-being (“Thrive”), and expanding enabling environments, so that all women, children, and adolescents can reach their potential (“Transform”) and no one is “Left Behind”. Committing to implementation of the Global Strategy As part of the seventy-sixth WORLD HEALTH ASSEMBLY (WHA), The Global Strategy for Women’s, Children’s and Adolescents’ Health (2016–2030), Report by the Director-General is available. Proportion of indicators at the national level with full disaggregation when relevant to the target (SDG 17.18.1) (also, specifically as related to indicators of the Global Strategy for Women's, Children's and Adolescents' Health) 17.18.1) (also, specifically as related to indicators of the Global Strategy for Women's, Children's and Adolescents' Health)
[271] The Struggle to Provide Culturally-Appropriate Maternity Care — A core component of high quality health care is ensuring that services are people-centered—that providers incorporate the "preferences and aspirations of individual service users and the culture of their community."The World Health Organization's "Standards for improving quality of maternal and newborn care in health facilities" released in 2016 recommend that practitioners
[273] Interventions to provide culturally-appropriate maternity care services ... — | Jewell et al., 2000 | USA, Indiana | Recognition of factors influencing minority women’s poorer utilisation of early ANC than non-minority women (e.g. cultural insensitivity of providers, lack of encouragement to seek care, and the importance of advice from family and friends) | Staff helping women to work through the decision-making process on how to resolve barriers to their cultural beliefs and practices, staff providing advocacy for women if barriers occurred in navigating the health and social service systems, involvement of grassroots community-driven coalitions in the provision of culturally relevant care, provision of social support, provision of transport service, referrals to community services, health education, use of minority professional and paraprofessional staff, project monitoring by the minority health coalition boards, staff engaging in cultural brokering |
[276] Partnering With Communities to Enhance Health Before, During, and After ... — The Maternal Health Community Implementation Program (MH-CIP) supports community-engaged implementation research, working with affected communities to improve heart, lung, blood, and sleep health before, during, and after delivery. MH-CIP develops and tests community-based implementation strategies to increase the adoption, uptake, and scaling up of evidence-based interventions to improve health before, during, and after pregnancy. Use implementation science to bring effective maternal health interventions into communities severely impacted by maternal health disparities. Empower disproportionately impacted communities across the U.S. to be full partners in community-engaged implementation research to reduce disparities in maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity. Identify and disseminate effective implementation strategies that harness community strengths and knowledge to address facilitators or barriers affecting the adoption of evidence-based practices or interventions to improve maternal health. Maternal Health Community Implementation Program
[277] Examining socioeconomic factors influencing maternal health in ... — These disparities contribute to varying maternal health outcomes, emphasizing the critical need for targeted interventions. The study recommends tailored strategies, encompassing improved healthcare access, educational initiatives, workplace support, and policy enhancements to address socioeconomic inequalities in maternal health effectively.
[278] Key barriers to the provision and utilization of maternal health ... — Key barriers to the provision and utilization of maternal health services in low-and lower-middle-income countries; a scoping review | BMC Women's Health | Full Text The results of this review showed that women’s poor knowledge of MH is the most frequent barrier (N: 56, 47.86%) to the utilization of MH services in LLMICs. The low level of specific knowledge on MH is reflected in three areas, including a lack of awareness of risk factors and danger signs , failure to receive special care and information in previous stages of care and lack of awareness of available health services . Exploring health care professionals’ and women’s perspectives on the barriers to maternal health services: a qualitative study in Eku Town of Delta State, Nigeria.
[280] Key barriers to the provision and utilization of maternal health ... — Key barriers to the provision and utilization of maternal health services in low-and lower-middle-income countries; a scoping review BMC Womens ... attitudes and preferences, access barriers, and barriers related to family structure and power. Furthermore, the main barriers to the provision of MH services in these countries have been
[294] An 'impact hub' approach to transforming global maternal health ... — Room members and country-level practitioners consulted on the proposed metric generally agreed that a singular, positively-framed metric like community death-free days could help motivate maternal health practitioners, reframe mothers’ often negative perceptions around accessing formal care, galvanize political support (e.g., of national governments), and attract support from donors and funders globally. In this way, a global impact hub could provide the connective tissue necessary to identify and elevate innovative approaches that occur across local contexts, like the success of the Early Detection and Management of Postpartum Hemorrhage (E-MOTIVE) protocol in northern Nigeria, Ethiopia’s “No woman should die while giving life” community engagement campaign, and “zero-cost delivery strategies,” such as the Janani (Maternal) Express or Janani Suraksha Yojana programs in India, designed to address mothers’ financial barriers to accessing care.
[295] Maternal and newborn health - UNICEF — Uneven access to affordable, high-quality health care and services impedes many countries from improving maternal and newborn survival and reducing stillbirths.
[296] Guiding maternal and perinatal health research during global pandemics — The newly launched Roadmap for research on maternal and perinatal health in the context of epidemic threats provides a comprehensive strategy to address the unique challenges pregnant women and babies face during epidemics.
[297] Maternal, newborn and child health (including stillbirths) — We have the evidence and tools to change the course of history on maternal, newborn and child health (MNCH). Strong commitments of governments, stakeholders, communities and families can result in improved health. We know what works and we can be hopeful - the number of global child deaths reached a historic low in 2022, for instance.
[305] PDF — World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 2024, 21(02), 1770–1781 1771 Historically, maternal and child health policies have evolved in response to emerging healthcare challenges, scientific advancements, and shifting societal norms. The contemporary landscape of MCH policies is characterized by a diverse array World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 2024, 21(02), 1770–1781 1773 of interventions, reflecting the recognition of the complex web of factors influencing maternal and child health outcomes (Dwivedi, et. In conclusion, these case studies offer valuable insights into effective maternal and child health policies, showcasing diverse approaches that prioritize holistic care, community engagement, and technology integration. The journey towards effective maternal and child health policies requires a commitment to balance, adaptability, and a shared vision of a future where every mother and child has access to high-quality, culturally sensitive healthcare.
[306] Advancing Maternal Health Through Digital Innovation — With maternal mortality rates remaining high, and limited access to healthcare for vulnerable populations digital health technologies show promise in improving maternal health outcomes and reducing healthcare disparities. In recent years, digital health technology has made significant strides in improving maternal health by enhancing communication and access to services, enabling patient monitoring, and facilitating the treatment of specific maternal complications. Digital health technologies have substantially improved communication and access to services in maternal healthcare. By facilitating the exchange of critical health information, digital technology helps mitigate biases in access to maternal healthcare services. In conclusion, digital innovation and emerging technologies are revolutionizing maternal health by expanding access, improving quality of care, and empowering expectant mothers.
[307] Revolutionizing Maternal Health: The Role of Artificial Intelligence in ... — This review explores the transformative role of AI in maternal healthcare, focusing on its applications in the early detection of pregnancy complications, personalized care, and remote monitoring through AI-driven technologies. By leveraging AI technologies, healthcare systems can address significant gaps in maternal health services, thereby improving the quality and reach of care. AI-Driven Predictive Models Identifying risk factors for maternal mental health conditions Helps healthcare providers intervene early to prevent severe conditions Predictive models analyzing risk based on social and clinical data By validating these technologies through clinical trials, the maternal healthcare community can establish evidence-based practices that enhance care quality and accessibility, ultimately leading to improved health outcomes for mothers and their infants .
[308] Using data analytics to combat the maternal health crisis — For Medicaid plans in particular, maternal health is the next frontier of care management. Especially from a health equity lens, health plans need an avenue to address the maternal care crisis and improve outcomes for mothers and their babies. Analytics can offer a common platform for health plans, providers, and members to work together to reduce health disparities and achieve longer-term
[309] Data & Analytics Archives - National Perinatal Information Center — For years, clinicians, researchers, and community members have been describing the disparities in perinatal and obstetric outcomes, particularly within race and ethnicity. In 2020 NPIC set forth an initiative to bring to life, a Race & Ethnicity Dashboard. Posted under: Data & Analytics, Maternal Health, Social Determinants of Health/Disparities
[310] Digging into data to address maternal health challenges — Health Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Digging into data to address maternal health challenges Analytics can guide trustees in identifying deficiencies and prioritizing actions to improve outcomes By Priya Bathija Last place. That is where the United States currently ranks compared to other developed countries on maternal mortality. Maternal mortality rates have more than tripled since 1987 in
[312] PDF — about what each community needs to meet the universal goal of improving maternal health. Using the targeted universalism framework will mean that more communities and individuals have a seat at the table during policy development. The United States is in the midst of a maternal health crisis. Women* are dying at rates the U.S. has
[313] Community Partnerships Are Critical to Improving Maternal, Infant Health — The Washington state and Virginia teams are coordinating such partnerships and initiatives to leverage state and local data sources, identify gaps in services, and improve alignment and integration of partners and programs—efforts that can help parents and infants live their healthiest lives.
[314] The Impact of Cultural Sensitivity in Obstetrical Care — Many healthcare providers, hospitals, and organizations have found success when they implement culturally sensitive practices, leading to improved maternal and infant health outcomes. Below are some examples where healthcare professionals recognized the significance of cultural differences while caring for pregnant individuals and their families.
[328] Social and Structural Determinants of Health Inequities in Maternal ... — Social and Structural Determinants of Health Inequities in Maternal Health - PubMed Social and Structural Determinants of Health Inequities in Maternal Health In this article, we will expand our review of social determinants of maternal health to include the terms "structural determinants of health" and "root causes of inequities" as we assess the literature on this topic. We hypothesize that the addition of structural determinants and root causes will identify racism as a cause of inequities in maternal health outcomes, as many of the social and political structures and policies in the United States were born out of racism, classism, and gender oppression. Re: "Social and Structural Determinants of Health Inequities in Maternal Health," by Crear-Perry et al.
[329] 11 Women-Led Foundations Supporting Maternal and Child Healthcare — These organizations often focus on grassroots efforts that empower local communities to take charge of their health outcomes. By collaborating with healthcare providers, policymakers, and community leaders, women-led foundations can create comprehensive strategies that address barriers to care and promote equitable access to services.
[331] Who We Are - Ensuring That All Families Can Grow - March For Moms — We align the diverse voices of families, healthcare providers, policymakers, and partners to advocate for the health, care, and well-being of moms and their families. As a non-partisan, solution-oriented, multi-stakeholder 501(c)3, we lead and elevate the lived experience of maternal health and outcomes as advocates, surviving birthing people
[332] Strategies to Promote Maternal Health Equity - PubMed Central (PMC) — Approaches include making equity a strategic priority within the organization; acknowledging the effect of racism on health outcomes; investing resources to educate staff and implement perinatal QI initiatives; fostering collaboration with health departments, hospitals, and community stakeholders; and developing performance data systems that accurately capture and report inequities.5,23,31–34 In 2001, the Institute of Medicine named “equity” as an essential domain of quality, defining quality health care as safe, efficient, effective, timely, patient-centered, and equitable.35 One approach to establishing and monitoring a culture of equity within health systems is to create a multidisciplinary, departmental health equity committee within obstetrics that engages members of the communities served.34,36 Leadership-based, equity-focused strategies and tactics may be effective in increasing accountability, buy-in, communication, and collaboration, as well as improving data systems to monitor outcomes and experiences for all populations.