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Maternal health in the United States is facing significant challenges, with the country recording the highest maternal mortality rate among high-income nations. The disparities in maternal healthcare are particularly pronounced among women of color and those living in rural areas. As a new administration and Congress assume office, there is an opportunity to address these inequities by passing legislation that prioritizes the health and wellbeing of mothers.
On Maternal Health Awareness Day, observed on January 23, legislators, healthcare professionals, and families are encouraged to raise awareness about maternal health issues. These include maternal mortality and morbidity, access to quality healthcare, and improving outcomes for mothers before and after pregnancy. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 80 percent of pregnancy-related deaths are preventable.
Ascension, a key player in maternal healthcare, emphasizes providing high-quality care accessible to all mothers, especially those who are poor or vulnerable. "That's why we support several necessary public policy solutions that would further equip providers like us to confront remaining maternal health challenges head on," Ascension states.
The organization has been active nationwide through its birthing units, delivering between 72,000 and 78,000 babies annually—about one out of every 50 babies born in the U.S. each year—despite declining birth rates across the country.
To empower mothers further, Ascension's Maternal Health Social System Initiative (MHSSI) provides support through dedicated "maternal health navigators" who assist patients over nine to twelve months with prenatal-specific education and support. This initiative has shown positive results such as reduced missed appointments and increased pregnancies reaching term with babies born at ideal weights.
In addressing maternal health inequities, Ascension employs a Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) screening tool to collect data on social and environmental factors impacting health outcomes. Over four million screenings have been conducted since 2020.
Ascension also runs the Food is the Best Medicine (FBM) program aimed at supporting food-insecure mothers by providing them with nutritious meals during the critical postpartum period.
The organization advocates for public policy solutions like the Momnibus Act—a comprehensive package addressing various drivers of maternal mortality—and supports policies targeting workforce shortages in healthcare through legislative acts such as:
- The Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Reauthorization Act,
- Reauthorizing funding for HRSA Titles VII and VIII workforce programs,
- Investment into the National Health Service Corps (NHSC),
- Increasing Graduate Medical Education (GME).
By working alongside communities, healthcare leaders, and policymakers, Ascension aims to expand access to essential care while improving wellbeing and maternal health outcomes across the nation.
