How can disparities in maternal health outcomes be reduced?

Challenge

The U.S. currently has the highest rates of maternal mortality and morbidity in the developed world. These outcomes are largely preventable and are closely associated with racial and ethnic disparities, with Black women 3 to 4 times as likely to die from pregnancy-related causes as White women, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Cardiovascular conditions are the leading causes of maternal death in the U.S., and cardiovascular risk factors such as obesity and hypertension are strongly associated with increased risk of maternal morbidity. While evidence-based interventions exist, community-engaged research is needed to test implementation strategies that remove barriers to these interventions and ensure they are effective, feasible, acceptable and sustainable, particularly in at-risk populations.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is committed to ensuring that evidence-based interventions to reduce cardiovascular risk factors are delivered effectively to all women.

Solution

Westat, in partnership with the NIH, serves as the Community Engagement Technical Assistance Center (CETAC) for the Maternal Health Community Implementation Project and other Community Engagement Alliance (CEAL) programs. Through CETAC, Westat provides administrative, technical, and scientific support to community-engaged researchers and local organizations, facilitating the delivery of evidence-based care in areas with high maternal morbidity and mortality.

To further strengthen community-engaged implementation research, Westat convenes subject matter experts and patient advisory groups. These efforts ensure that strategies for implementing evidence-based interventions are effective, feasible, acceptable, and capable of delivering sustainable improvements in maternal health outcomes.

Results

The project seeks to rapidly award and fund regional coalitions to test the implementation of evidence-based interventions to reduce maternal mortality and morbidity. The overall goal is to promote heart, lung, blood, and sleep health for women of reproductive age, particularly in disproportionately affected populations.