Maternal/Infant Health Large disparities in maternal and infant health outcomes persist.
Background
The U.S. is in the midst of a maternal and infant health crisis that is particularly devastating to women and babies of color. Inequities in health begin before birth and continue through childhood.
Preterm birth rates in the U.S. from 2021 to 2023 were highest for Black infants (14.7%), followed by American Indian/Alaska Natives (12.4%), Hispanics (10.1%), Whites (9.5%), and Asian/Pacific Islanders (9.4%).
Infant death is more than twice as likely among children born to Black women as among those born to White women.
Pregnancy-related mortality in the U.S. is at the highest rate in the developed world; approximately 700 women die in our country each year from pregnancy complications. Black women are three to four times more likely to die from pregnancy- or childbirth-related complications than White women.
Disparities in maternal and infant health outcomes are attributed to many factors—access to care, race/ethnicity, education, socioeconomic status, cultural barriers, and physical and mental health.
Approach
Since 2015, the Foundation has invested in maternal health programs ranging from prenatal care to mental health support. Each round of grants has led to significant progress on improving maternal and child health outcomes.
2021–2024
Over the past three years, the Foundation has invested $30 million to support programs to help ensure that women and their babies can achieve optimal health and well‑being by:
- Reducing the preterm birth rate
- Reducing severe maternal morbidity and mortality
- Reducing the primary cesarean rate
Foundation Accomplishments: 2021–2024
Awarded to 46 nonprofit organizations across the country.
People reached through awareness efforts, screenings, and other services.
Maternal health workers trained and given resources.
Improvement in preterm birth rates among program participants, compared with the national average.
What’s Next
It has been demonstrated that programs that address the whole health of the mother improve pregnancy and delivery outcomes. To ensure the most-positive outcomes, the Foundation is expanding its focus to include the entire pregnancy journey.
The Foundation launched a new five-year commitment, starting in January 2025, that will holistically support women through the continuum of the maternal/infant health cycle, including their physical, behavioral, and social needs—from preconception health and family planning to supporting mothers and infants 12 months postpartum.
The Foundation remains committed to partnering with nonprofit organizations addressing whole-person care that demonstrate a deep understanding of the health-related needs of the populations they serve.
Our Approach in Action
Healthy Birth Day
Committed to improving health equity and birth outcomes, Healthy Birth Day helps save babies using the Count the Kicks stillbirth-prevention program. The programs educate parents on the importance of tracking their babies’ movements in the third semester of pregnancy and to speak up if they notice a change.
The Elevance Health Foundation has expanded its support of Count the Kicks to help the organization reach 900,000 people across 10 states.
NICU Family Support Program
Building on Elevance Health Foundation’s long-standing partnership with March of Dimes, a new $879,000 grant will expand the NICU Family Support Program in select markets across the country.
Celebrating nearly 25 years of support to NICU families across 70 hospitals nationwide, this program is at the intersection of family-centered care, patient experience, and parent education. The program has three main goals: educate and support NICU families, educate and support NICU staff, and improve the NICU experience.
The Flourish Project
With Elevance Health Foundation support, United Way of Southwest Virginia launched the Flourish Maternal and Infant Health and Well-Being Project. This groundbreaking program will improve maternal and infant health outcomes in rural communities.
Expectant mothers will receive the resources and support they need to properly prepare for the birth of their children, including financial help, connections to prenatal care providers, and social supports that enhance mental, social, and emotional health.
The Morehouse School of Medicine
Maternal health outcomes are adversely affected by variations in quality of healthcare, underlying chronic conditions, and more. The Elevance Health Foundation has provided a $1.7 million grant to the Morehouse School of Medicine in Atlanta, Georgia, to support an interprofessional training program addressing maternal heath.
The program will focus on enhanced communication, clinical-care coordination, and improved performance for marginalized communities.