Maternal and Child Health News

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Over 5.6 million U.S. women live in “maternity care deserts,” counties with no access to obstetric care through a hospital or other provider, according to the latest analysis by the March of Dimes.
The AHA yesterday joined 85 national organizations in urging Congress to swiftly pass the Preventing Maternal Deaths Reauthorization Act (H.R.3838/S.2415), bipartisan legislation that would reauthorize federal support for state-based maternal mortality review committees, which review pregnancy-related deaths to identify causes and make recommendations to prevent future mortalities.
The Food and Drug Administration July 13 approved the first daily oral contraceptive pill (norgestrel) for use in the U.S. without a prescription.
The AHA, along with members of the Mental Health Liaison Group, recently voiced support for the Helping Kids Cope Act (H.R. 2412), legislation that would provide Health Resources and Services Administration grants to expand access to pediatric mental and behavioral health services.
Micah Niermann, M.D. discusses how Gillette Children's is reaching their pediatric community and fighting vaccine misinformation.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has released a free online course to help clinicians address perinatal mental health.
The Food and Drug Administration June 22 approved the first gene therapy to treat patients aged 4-5 with a confirmed mutation in the Duchenne muscular dystrophy gene.
Delivery-related maternal mortality in U.S. hospitals decreased for all racial and ethnic groups, age groups and modes of delivery during 2008 to 2021, likely due to national strategies to improve delivery-related hospital care, the Department of Health and Human Services reported.
Men can provide important support for women during their pregnancy and help create better outcomes for mother and child. Dr. Amina Alio, from University of Rochester Medical Center, and Jonathan Webb, CEO of the Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses, explore the role of fathers in maternal and child health.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services June 13 approved state plan amendments allowing New York state to extend postpartum coverage from 60 days to 12 months after pregnancy for Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program enrollees under the American Rescue Plan Act.
Eligible clinicians may apply through July 20 at 7:30 p.m. ET for up to $100,000 in loan repayment in exchange for working up to three years in an approved outpatient or inpatient facility providing primary medical or dental care and/or mental and behavioral health services in a health professional shortage area or medically underserved area or population, the Health Resources and Services Administration recently announced.
The Department of Health and Human Services has partnered with Baby2Baby to distribute 3,000 newborn supply kits to new mothers through participating hospitals and community-based organizations in Arkansas, Louisiana, and New Mexico, and eventually plans to expand the pilot program to other states.
The Health Resources and Services Administration announced a new toll-free number (1-833-TLC-MAMA) and promotional toolkit for its National Maternal Mental Health Hotline for pregnant and postpartum individuals with mental health concerns.
Aisha Syeda, a senior program manager for AHA’s Strategic Initiatives, shares how Dell Children’s Medical Center, Hand to Hold and Northwest Community Healthcare support families affected by infant loss or a neonatal intensive care unit admission.
AHA urged leaders of the House (LINK) and Senate (LINK) Appropriations Subcommittees on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education to give favorable funding consideration in fiscal year 2024 to health care programs shown to improve access to quality health care for patients and communities.  
Pregnant people with opioid use disorder are more likely to receive buprenorphine (a recommended treatment) if they are older, white and have public insurance.
Rural hospitals, which deliver about one in 10 babies nationally each year, have been closing in significant numbers. Despite the challenging environment, rural hospitals and health systems are taking traditional and innovative approaches to build or expand their maternal health programs.
A senior executive from Children’s Hospital Colorado shares how the pediatric health system managed an unprecedented surge in patients with COVID-19, RSV and flu.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services released a proposed rule that would extend Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program coverage to qualified individuals in the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program in states that cover legally residing immigrant children and pregnant women.
Two experts from Seattle’s Swedish Hospital explain the role that doulas serve in prenatal and postpartum care, and how physicians and doulas can work together to reduce maternal and infant health disparities