Maternal and Child Health Resource Repository

Hospitals and patients are seeking tools that support maternal health while offering greater convenience and efficiency, along with more comprehensive, culturally competent care. Digital solutions can support hospitals’ efforts as they work to improve patients’ outcomes and experiences.

Prenatal cannabis exposure after five to six weeks of pregnancy is associated with attention, social and behavioral problems that persist into early adolescence, according to a study reported yesterday in JAMA Pediatrics. Supported by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the study is tracking nearly 12,000 youth as they grow into young adults to understand the factors that influence brain, cognitive and social-emotional development.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention today alerted health care providers to an increase in pediatric hospitalizations for severe respiratory illness in patients who tested positive for rhinovirus and/or enterovirus, including enterovirus D68 (EV-D68). EV-D68 has been associated with acute flaccid myelitis, a rare but serious neurologic complication involving limb weakness.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services today approved state plan amendments allowing Indiana and West Virginia 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. They join 21 other states and Washington, D.C., in opting to extend the coverage under either the ARPA state plan option or section 1115 demonstration authority.

AHA, in comments today to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, voiced support for the agency’s new rural emergency hospital designation, particularly its potential value in the area of maternal health. “It is undeniable that access to maternal and child care services is lacking in certain areas of the country, including many rural communities,” AHA wrote.

A federal judge in Texas Aug. 23 blocked the Biden Administration from enforcing new guidance related to the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act, which it issued following the Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. The judge held the Department of Health and Human Services’ guidance does not preempt state law, exceeds the authority of EMTALA, and was improperly issued without notice and comment.

Improving access and quality of maternal and infant services in rural Iowa through a regional center of excellence.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services today approved state plan amendments allowing Hawaii, Maryland and Ohio 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.

Rising costs and a shortage of health care providers make access to services challenging, especially in rural communities.

Viewers of this webinar will learn about broadening the standard of care that addresses not only clinical and medical pregnancy issues but also behavioral health concerns like peripartum depression and suicide ideation. Viewers will learn how awareness and assessment of social and behavioral factors throughout the ante, peri, and postpartum periods can be an effective method for providing life-saving care for all mothers. (Webinar presented September 20, 2022)

Bundled care programs are a key driver in the transition from fee-for-service to value-based care.

AHA's John Supplitt and Aisha Syeda joined the Rural Health Information Hub’s Exploring Rural Health podcast to discuss rural health care challenges and solutions.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services released guidance on an optional home health services benefit for Medicaid-eligible children with medically complex conditions effective Oct. 1 under the Medicaid Services Investment and Accountability Act of 2019.

In a new report initiated by Chief Operating Officer Jeff Williams, Apple ties together its expansive devices and applications, its partnerships with hospitals and health systems and work with researchers.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services yesterday released a plan to improve health outcomes and reduce inequities for people during pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period.

The Senate today passed and sent to the president for his signature the Formula Act.

In this podcast, Priya Bathija, vice president of AHA’s strategic initiatives speaks with globally recognized expert and leader in maternal care, Dr. Neel Shah about the state of maternal health in the U.S, along with how Maven Clinic is supporting Black moms and their families.

Black women are three to four times more likely to experience a pregnancy or childbirth-related death than White women. The health and well-being of women on their maternal journey – before, during and after childbirth are critical aspects of equitable health care.

Priya Bathija, AHA’s vice president of strategic initiatives, shares digital health strategies from CommonSpirit Health and Boston Medical Center to help expecting and new moms communicate with their care teams.

Over the past few years, we have seen an increase in tech-based approaches to improving maternal outcomes and the birthing journey.