Maternal and Child Health Resource Repository

In recognition of Maternal Health Awareness Day, Aisha Syeda, senior program manager for AHA’s work on maternal health, highlights strategies health care organizations are spearheading to tackle the two leading causes of maternal deaths.

Only 16% of pregnant people who reported drinking alcohol in 2017 or 2019 were advised by a health care provider to stop or reduce their alcohol use, although 80% were asked about alcohol use during their most recent health care visit, suggesting missed opportunities to reduce alcohol use during pregnancy, according to a survey released today by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Emergency departments in the highest quartile of pediatric readiness based on National Pediatric Readiness Project standards have lower death rates for children with serious injury or illness than EDs in the lowest quartile, according to a federal study reported in JAMA Network Open.

States that expanded Medicaid coverage to low-income adults in 2014 under the Affordable Care Act reduced postpartum hospitalizations for low-income people, according to a study reported yesterday in Health Affairs, which compared 2010-2017 data from four states that expanded Medicaid and four that did not. 

The Health Resources and Services Administration today awarded nearly $60 million over five years to help 24 health care and educational organizations integrate mental health training into training for primary care clinicians, with a focus on preparing them to treat mental health needs in children and adolescents.

In a study reported yesterday in JAMA Internal Medicine, children and adolescents previously diagnosed with multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C) reported no serious complications after COVID-19 vaccination.

The Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response Friday deployed a 14-member National Disaster Medical System team to the University of New Mexico Children’s Hospital to help support staff caring for a surge in pediatric respiratory illnesses, such as flu and Respiratory Syncytial Virus.

The Food and Drug Administration today authorized the Moderna and Pfizer bivalent COVID-19 vaccines for emergency use in children as young as 6 months old. Specifically, the agency authorized the Moderna vaccine as a single booster dose for children aged 6 months through 5 at least two months after primary vaccination, and the Pfizer vaccine for children aged 6 months through 4 who have not yet received the third primary series dose.

The House Friday voted 390-26 to approve bipartisan legislation (H.R.8876) that would reauthorize the federal Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program and double annual funding for the program to $800 million over five years. The Ways and Means Committee advanced the legislation in September. Funding for the program lapses if the Senate does not take action before the current continuing resolution expires on Dec. 16.

The Health Resources and Services Administration has released Maternity Care Target Area weighted scores for Primary Care Health Professional Shortage Areas experiencing a shortage of maternity health care professionals.

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.

Find out how Temple University Hospital is planning a dedicated hospital for women and infants to strengthen equity in care delivery, and how Medicaid covers 90% of infant deliveries.

Rady Children’s leaders in 2015 set forth a strategic plan to transform mental health by treating the whole child, integrating physical and behavioral health. Leaders also met informally with a group of 20 local health academics, pediatricians, psychologists, social workers and other community members over the course of two years to develop a multi-pronged model for early detection and treatment of behavioral health needs in young people.

To better meet the needs of their community Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters (CHKD) engaged in an initiative to transform pediatric mental health services through dedication and partnerships.

Howard University Hospital | Advancing Health Equity and Promoting Patient-Centered Care | Mission and Vision for High-Quality Healthcare

Memora Health, which focuses on virtual care delivery and complex care management, hopes the initiative will reduce the burden on clinical and administrative teams at Mayo Clinic and extend the relationship between care teams and new mothers. Memora’s care programs digitize workflows and patient communications via AI-supported messaging and established clinical and administrative processes.

Valleywise Health – formerly known as Maricopa Integrated Health System (MIHS) – has been caring for families and communities in the Phoenix area for more than 140 years. Established in 1877, Valleywise Health provides quality care to the people of Maricopa County in south-central Arizona and beyond.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services yesterday approved state plan amendments allowing Georgia and Pennsylvania 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.

In recognition of National Women’s Blood Pressure Awareness Week, Oct. 17-23, Shanna Cox, associate director for science at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, discusses the increase in hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and how the CDC’s Hear Her campaign resources can help hospitals identify and prevent associated complications.

In this episode, Shanna Cox, associate director for science in CDC’s Division of Reproductive Health, and Aisha Syeda, senior program manager for AHA’s strategic initiatives, discuss the reasons behind the increase in hypertensive disorders of pregnancy.