Introduction The Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding are evidence‐based practices used to improve breastfeeding outcomes, and most are to be implemented shortly after birth. Although breastfeeding is increasing in the United States, racial disparities persist. Available national samples used to examine trends in maternity care rely on maternal recall, which may be subject to error and bias. Thus, we conducted a pilot study to determine the feasibility of a large‐scale study conducted during the birth hospitalization to explore patterns in practices supporting breastfeeding across maternal racial and ethnic groups. Methods A convenience sample of 37 women with healthy, term singletons who intended to breastfeed were recruited from 2 academic medical centers (one in the Midwest and the other in the Pacific Northeast) and surveyed during their birth hospitalizations between July and November 2016. Women were asked whether they received the 7 steps that are recommended to be implemented shortly after birth (eg, encourage breastfeeding on demand). We generated descriptive statistics and conducted independent chi‐square tests to determine associations between self‐reported exposure to these 7 practices and race and ethnicity. Results In this sample, 23 women (62.2%) were non‐Hispanic white, 5 (13.5%) were non‐Hispanic black, and 6 (16.2%) were Hispanic. Approximately 26 (70.3%) reported experiencing at least 6 of the 7 practices. Non‐Hispanic white women were significantly more likely to room‐in with their newborns, were less likely to receive formula, and were less likely to receive pacifiers than women of other races and ethnicities (P < .05). Furthermore, differences in exposure to practices by maternal race/ethnicity appeared more pronounced at one center than the other. Discussion Preliminary findings suggest that some practices used to improve breastfeeding may be provided inconsistently across maternal racial and ethnic groups. Additional investigation is needed to further explore these patterns and to identify reasons for any inconsistencies in order to reduce health disparities in the United States.

Preeclampsia-related morbidity and mortality is rising predominantly because of delayed identification of patients at risk for preeclampsia with severe features and associated complications. This study explored the association between angiogenic markers (sFlt1 [soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1]) and PlGF [placental growth factor]) and preeclampsia-related peripartum complications. Normotensive women or those with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy were enrolled. Blood samples were collected within 96 hours before delivery, and angiogenic markers were measured on an automated platform. Our study included 681 women, 375 of which had hypertensive disorders. Of these, 127 (33.9%) had severe preeclampsia, and 71.4% were black. Compared with normotensive women, women with severe preeclampsia had higher levels of sFlt1 (9372.5 versus 2857.0 pg/mL; P <0.0001), lower PlGF (51.0 versus 212.0 pg/mL; P <0.0001), and a high sFlt1/PlGF (212.0 versus 14.0; all P <0.0001). A similar trend in sFlt1, PlGF, and sFlt1/PlGF was found in those women with complications secondary to preeclampsia (all P <0.001). The highest tertile of sFlt1/PlGF was strongly associated with severe preeclampsia in a multivariable analysis. Among patients with a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy, 340 (90.7%) developed postpartum hypertension, of which 50.4% had mild, and 40.3% had severe postpartum hypertension. The sFlt1/PlGF ratio was significantly higher for severe and mild postpartum hypertension compared with women with normal postpartum blood pressures (73.5, 46.0, and 13.0, respectively; P values<0.0001). Furthermore, the highest tertile of antepartum sFlt1/PlGF was associated with postpartum hypertension ( P =0.004). This study demonstrates a significant association between an abnormal angiogenic profile before delivery and severe preeclampsia and peripartum complications.

The Illinois Perinatal Quality Collaborative developed a framework for successfully engaging teams and implementing statewide obstetric and neonatal quality improvement (QI) initiatives. This framework includes: (1) engaging hospitals to create an environment of improvement; (2) motivating hospital teams to facilitate change at their hospital; and (3) supporting hospital teams through the 3 pillars of QI—collaborative learning opportunities, rapid-response data, and QI support—to achieve initiative goals and improve outcomes for mothers and newborns. Utilizing this framework, the Illinois Perinatal Quality Collaborative Severe Maternal Hypertension Initiative engaged teams and achieved initiative goals.

Purpose of Review To summarize recent findings in global mental health along several domains including socioeconomic determinants, inequities, funding, and inclusion in global mental health research and practice. Recent Findings Mental illness continues to disproportionately impact vulnerable populations and treatment coverage continues to be low globally. Advances in integrating mental health care and adopting task-shifting are accompanied by implementation challenges. The mental health impact of recent global events such as the COVID-19 pandemic, geo-political events, and environmental change is likely to persist and require coordinated care approaches for those in need of psychosocial support. Inequities also exist in funding for global mental health and there has been gradual progress in terms of building local capacity for mental health care programs and research. Lastly, there is an increasing effort to include people with lived experiences of mental health in research and policy shaping efforts. Summary The field of global mental health will likely continue to be informed by evidence and perspectives originating increasingly from low- and middle-income countries along with ongoing global events and centering of relevant stakeholders.