New task force created to improve maternal health across Alabama – News

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Photo: Bruce SouthlandAlabama continues to rank among the worst states for infant and maternal health, with infant and maternal mortality rates above the US average. Working groups and task forces in the region have been mobilized to tackle these pressing issues. Unfortunately, the traditionally decentralized structure has limited the reach and sustainability of interventions to improve maternal health.

Researchers at the Health Resources and Services Administration’s State Maternal Health Innovation and Data Capability Program University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Public Health and the Alabama Perinatal Quality Collaborative Leads efforts to create Alabama Maternal Health Task Force. The task force will focus efforts in the region to develop and implement a strategic plan to improve maternal health.

“Alabama is a rural state with many racial and ethnic disparities, health care issues, communicable and chronic conditions, economic barriers and more that exacerbate our maternal health problems,” said UAB Chair Dr. Martha Wingate. School of Public Health Department of Health Policy and Organization and initiative director. “Other initiatives have been able to address one or two areas; but now is the time to combine the knowledge, skills and resources to see significant changes and improvements in a strategic and comprehensive plan to reduce maternal mortality and morbidity in our region.”

To strengthen the Task Force’s capacity to address maternal health disparities, the HRSA program will provide funding for:

• Improved state level data collection
• Help to expand workforce and address training needs related to maternal health
• Improved access to comprehensive, continuous high-quality maternal clinical care through telehealth and other strategies
• Opportunities for engagement with community partners, families, and others with lived experiences associated with adverse maternal health outcomes

The UAB School of Public Health has received support in building the task force from partners in the state’s public and private sectors, the Alabama Department of Public Health, the Alabama Hospital Association, the Alabama Department of Mental Health Services, the Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education, the March of Dimes and many others.

The Alabama Maternal Health Task Force will drive collaboration and use innovative approaches to create a more comprehensive approach to improving maternal health in the state.