Senior female nurse carefully takes newborn from mid adult mother
By IHPL - March 15, 2025

For a nation that prides itself on medical advancement and healthcare innovation, the United States faces a startling paradox in maternal healthcare. Despite its economic power and medical resources, vulnerable women across the country continue to face disproportionate risks during pregnancy and childbirth. The statistics paint a troubling picture: maternal mortality rates in the US surpass those of other developed nations, with the burden falling heaviest on minority communities.1,2

Recent data reveals that Black and American Indian/Alaska Native women face much higher risks during pregnancy and childbirth compared to White women. This disparity reflects deep systemic issues, including access to care, transportation, and employment; chronic stress from systemic racism, which can increase health risks;3 lack of health insurance coverage, particularly in states that have not expanded Medicaid;4 and limited access to maternity care providers in many rural areas.4

To gauge public sentiment on this issue, the 2024 APHA Omnibus Survey conducted by VeraSight asked 1,000 participants whether they believed the US government should allocate greater resources to improve maternal health outcomes for vulnerable women. The results were telling: 33% strongly agreed, 38% agreed, 22% remained neutral, and only 8% either disagreed or strongly disagreed.

While this represents just a snapshot of public opinion, it suggests growing recognition that maternal health deserves greater attention and resources. The path forward requires concrete action, not just acknowledgment. Key policy initiatives such as the White House Blueprint for Addressing the Maternal Health Crisis5 must be continued and expanded to ensure funding for the following:

1. Comprehensive Medicaid Expansion

  • Extended postpartum coverage
  • Broader prenatal care access
  • Reduced insurance gaps

2. Community-Based Solutions

  • Increased funding for local health centers
  • Support for community health worker programs
  • Enhanced outreach to vulnerable populations

3. Healthcare Quality Improvements

  • Mandatory bias training for healthcare providers
  • Standardized safety protocols
  • Integration of midwifery and alternative care models
  • Enhanced mental health screening and support

4. Data-Driven Accountability

  • Improved maternal health outcome tracking
  • Regular reporting on disparities
  • Transparent progress metrics

We must tackle maternal health disparities with a comprehensive plan that addresses both urgent healthcare needs and deeper systemic problems. While policies have started recognizing these issues, real change demands significant funding and long-term dedication from leaders. A recent step in that direction was taken by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

On January 6, 2025, CMS announced that 15 states, including California, will participate in a 10-year Transforming Maternal Health Model, which will provide technical support and resources to state Medicaid agencies.  The purpose is to develop programs addressing physical and mental health as well as social needs of pregnant and postpartum new mothers.6

Maternal health must be more than just talk. Every preventable maternal death is a heartbreaking failure of our healthcare system. It's time to act—mothers across America can’t wait any longer.

Co-Author Bios

Daniela Gilet, DrPH, M.S.

Dr. Daniela Gilet is an Artificial Intelligence Program Manager at Cotiviti where she uses the SAFe framework to deploy machine-learning solutions to drive bottom line results. She was recently an innovations fellow for the Randall Lewis Health Policy Fellow program. Her primary research interest is grounded in maternal health, health insurance expansion, and postpartum depression. Her analytical background and experience with data analytics align with her interest in quantitative research methods.

Lisa R. Roberts, DrPH, MSN, FNP-BC, FAAN, FAANP

Dr. Roberts is a Professor and the Research Director at the School of Nursing, with a secondary appointment in the Division of Interdisciplinary Studies in the School of Behavioral Health. She is a Fellow of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners and the American Academy of Nursing. Her primary research interest concerns maternal health and sickle cell disease. Her research interests also include mixed methods and community-based self-help interventions, addressing issues impacting health disparities and vulnerable populations. Her clinical focus as a Family Nurse Practitioner is prevention and primary care.

References:

  1. https://www.cnn.com/2024/05/01/health/maternal-mortality-cdc-report/index.html
  2. https://www.kff.org/racial-equity-and-health-policy/issue-brief/racial-disparities-in-maternal-and-infant-health-current-status-and-efforts-to-address-them/
  3. https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-23-105871
  4. https://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/scorecard/2024/jul/2024-state-scorecard-womens-health-and-reproductive-care
  5. https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2024/07/10/the-white-house-blueprint-for-addressing-the-maternal-health-crisis-two-years-of-progress/
  6. https://www.cms.gov/priorities/innovation/innovation-models/transforming-maternal-health-tmah-model