Putting the “M” Back in the Maternal and Child Health Bureau: Reducing Maternal Mortality and Morbidity

Abstract

Maternal mortality and severe morbidity are on the rise in the United States. A significant proportion of these events are preventable. The Maternal Health Initiative (MHI), coordinated by the Maternal and Child Health Bureau at the Health Resources and Services Administration, is intensifying efforts to reduce maternal mortality and severe morbidity in the U.S. Through a public-private partnership, MHI is taking a comprehensive approach to improving maternal health focusing on five priority areas: improving women's health before, during and beyond pregnancy; improving the quality and safety of maternity care; improving systems of maternity care including both clinical and public health systems; improving public awareness and education; and improving surveillance and research.

Effective strategies for reducing maternal mortality in Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, 2014

“…According to these studies, some effective strategies in preventing maternal deaths consist of review of maternal mortalities,[ 20 21 ] women's knowledge about the risks of cesarean section, induction of labor and childbirth preparation classes, painless delivery, consulting sessions and elimination of fear of and anxiety about vaginal delivery,[ 22 23 ] students' training with an emphasis on evidence-based practice, adherence to the protocols, simulation of managing acute diseases, early detection and referral management of mothers,[ 24 25 ] planning based on research to identify the obstacles to access high-quality clinical services and cares,[ 26 27 ] design and implementation of an effective system of risk management to improve safety,[ 28 29 ] raising the level of public awareness, and increasing the level of women's education. [ 30 31 32 33 34 35 ]…”

“…According to these studies, effective strategies in preventing maternal deaths include proper management of obstetric emergencies in appropriate referral performance, and appropriate use and access to health centers,[ 51 52 ] sending instructions and clinical guidelines related to maternal mortality to all public and private centers and developing certain professor protocols to be used by teamwork gynecologists,[ 42 ] improvement of maternal care in both public and private systems,[ 27 ] and design and implementation of programs related to safe pregnancy. [ 53 54 ]…”

Perinatal Nurse Home Visiting Referral Patterns Among Women With Diabetes and Hypertension in Philadelphia

“…Rates of maternal mortality and morbidity have dramatically increased in the United States (Creanga et al, 2015;Lu et al, 2015). Although a wealthy and developed nation, the United States continues to experience poor maternal and infant mortality rates greater than those of some developing nations (Institute of Medicine, 2013).…”

“…I ncreased rates of maternal mortality in the United States (Kilpatrick, 2015;Louis, Menard, & Gee, 2015;Lu, Highsmith, de la Cruz, & Atrash, 2015) and the prevalence of diabetes and hypertension (Bardenheier et al, 2015;Grobman et al, 2014;Lo, Mission, & Caughey, 2013), especially among women who live in socioeconomically disadvantaged communities, underscore the importance of perinatal nurse home visiting tailored to pregnant women with hypertension and diabetes. Concurrently, an increasing number of maternal and child health (MCH) home visiting services have emerged nationally and internationally as a key strategy to improve population-level health among socioeconomically disadvantaged mothers and their families (Cowley et al, 2015).…”

Pre‐pregnancy and Early Prenatal Care are Associated with Lower Risk of Ectopic Pregnancy Complications in the Medicaid Population: 2004–08

“…5 The causes of adverse maternal outcomes are complex, and we need more research to understand and deliver effective interventions that reduce maternal morbidity and mortality, especially in high-risk populations. 6 Two related strategies that have been suggested to improve maternal outcomes are preconception care 7 and early prenatal care. 8 However, these interventions have not been studied specifically in relationship with ectopic pregnancy outcomes.…”