Maternal and Child Health

The CDC report released in September 2022 highlights that more than 80% of pregnancy-related deaths were preventable. Among key findings, the report finds that one of the leading underlying causes of pregnancy-related death includes mental health conditions related to substance use disorder.

The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) published a new report to Congress on access to obstetric care in rural communities. GAO found that the number of rural hospitals providing obstetric services declined from 2004 through 2018. By 2018 more than half of rural counties lacked OB services. OB closures were focused in rural counties that were sparsely populated, had a majority of Black residents, and were considered low income. GAO interviewed stakeholders to identify the most important factors affecting availability of OB care and the efforts federal agencies, states, and others could take to increase availability of services.

Monday, October 3rd was Child Health Day 2022, an observance and recommitment to the health and well-being of children and their families. 

On Monday, the U.S. Department of Health & Human services  announced approximately $4 million to four awardees through its Rural Maternity and Obstetrics Management Strategies Program to enhance access to and coordination of obstetric and maternal care in rural communities.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced new efforts to improve health outcomes during pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum periods.  The Blueprint for Addressing the Maternal Health Crisis supports a push from the White House to address rising rates of maternal mortality and morbidity nationwide. 

Investment in rural maternal care is a featured priority of the new all-of-government approach to high rates of maternal mortality across the United States.  The plan announced last week stresses more staff and capabilities for rural obstetrics and increased funding of the HRSA/FORHP-supported Rural Maternity and Obstetrics Management Strategies Program.  A 2019 study from the Rural Health Research Gateway found a greater number of potentially life-threatening complications with childbirth in rural areas.

Cohort-Specific Sessions/Activities and Day 2 Wrap-Up

During this session, Dr. Lopata discussed federal/HRSA investments focused on improving the health outcomes for and reducing health disparities among maternal and child health populations. More specifically, Dr. Lopata discussed the multiple programs/interventions funded by HRSA that together work (along with federal, state, regional, and local partners) to improve the prevention, screening, and treatment of opioid use disorder during pregnancy and Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome in the United States.

Pre- Pregnancy fact sheet. Information for Providers 

Opioid use disorder (OUD) is a public health crisis affecting women, men, children, and society.1 Women with OUD have unique care needs and require a broad range of medical, behavioral health, and social services to meet these needs. Care coordination is important to manage the array of services that might be delivered to women in different settings. Without care coordination, women with OUD might struggle to access the services they need to get treatment and maintain recovery.