Courtesy of Morehouse School of Medicine
The Center for Maternal Health Equity at Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM) received a $1 million grant from Kaiser Permanente to support its work of improving maternal health outcomes and addressing conditions of maternal mortality in Georgia. The funding will be used to educate the public on the complications that can occur during pregnancy, childbirth, or within 42 days of termination of pregnancy through MSM’s Maternal Near Miss study.
“The profound impact of maternal near miss events on families, healthcare providers and the larger community underscores a critical area demanding urgent attention,” said Center for Maternal Health Equity Executive Director Natalie D. Hernandez-Green, PhD, MPH. “Real progress in maternal health can only be achieved by not only reducing maternal mortality but also by diminishing the occurrence of severe complications during pregnancy. Our collaboration with Kaiser Permanente signifies our commitment to amplify the voices of the people who are most impacted and to foster community education on maternal near misses and severe maternal morbidity. Our ultimate goal is to ensure that women and their families receive the indispensable support and resources needed for not just survival, but for thriving in every aspect of their lives.”
The Maternal Near Miss study is a collection of stories from birthing persons of color in the US who experienced a maternal near death and explores impacts among support persons, healthcare providers, families, and communities. Study results will be used to influence clinical practice, inform policy and advocacy, and advance healthcare strategies for birthing persons of color. The grant funding is supported through the Kaiser Permanente National Community Benefit Donor-Advised Fund at East Bay Community Foundation.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Black women are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women. Many factors contribute to this disparity, including socioeconomic conditions, variations in care, underlying chronic health issues, and structural racism. A lack of access to screenings and treatment amplifies the problem, especially for Black women who are disproportionately affected by these conditions.
“Kaiser Permanente is continuously searching for innovative ways to eradicate health disparities and improve maternal health outcomes in Georgia,” said Pam Shipley, regional president for Kaiser Permanente in Georgia. “Strategic partnerships coupled with advanced healthcare strategies like our Cocoon Pregnancy Care Model, are examples of our ongoing commitment to better meet the needs of expectant mothers.”
In 2022, Kaiser Permanente provided $200k in grant funding to community partners to help enhance prenatal and postnatal care, reduce the rate of low birthweight births and infant mortality, and address disparities in maternal care. Visit georgia.kaiserpermanente.org/community/ to learn more about Kaiser Permanente’s work in the community.
