Hershey, PA – On Monday, Shapiro Administration officials from the Departments of Health (DOH), Human Services (DHS), and Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) visited Penn State Health Children’s Hospital in Hershey to highlight efforts to improve care for pregnant women and babies through local maternal health coalitions.
With this new $3.6 million investment, coalitions will collect and analyze data in their areas to determine what local factors are contributing to maternal mortality and morbidity, and to ultimately improve healthcare services for women and babies in their respective regions.
Read what healthcare leaders are saying about the Shapiro Administration’s work and focus on improving care for mothers and babies.
Dr. Kristin Sznajder, Assistant Professor of Public Health Sciences at Penn State College of Medicine: “Our coalition is committed to being a driving force for positive change in maternal health. By connecting academic research, clinical care and community-based solutions, we are creating a model for improving maternal health equity here in Central Pennsylvania.”
Dr. Maria Montoro Edwards, President and CEO at Maternal and Family Health Services, Inc.: “The health and wellbeing of mothers and children are the cornerstones of everything we do at Maternal and Family Health Services, and we are committed to working with the Shapiro administration and our other coalition partners to be part of Pennsylvania's solution for improving maternal health in our state. MFHS is focused on improving the health outcomes related to pregnant and postpartum mothers and addressing the causes of maternal mortality and health inequities in our region. Through the regional coalition, we are building a framework for change that includes improving access to prenatal and postnatal care, providing education and support for new and expectant mothers, and ensuring that all women—regardless of their background or zip code—can access the resources they need for a healthy pregnancy and a healthy future.”
Sara Jann Heinze, Senior Director of Policy and Advocacy at The Maternity Care Coalition: “Each year, about a quarter of Pennsylvania’s babies are born to residents of Berks, Bucks, Chester, Delaware County, and Montgomery counties, making our region critical in the fight against maternal and infant mortality. Guided by a commitment to lasting change, we are leveraging the collective impact model as a framework for this work. The Maternity Care Coalition is excited to convene county champions, community-based organizations, lived experience experts, hospital systems, and a diverse group of stakeholders to form the Southeast PA Regional Maternal Health Coalition. We look forward to working together to effect measurable progress, improve birth outcomes, and promote equity across our region.”
Patricia Fonzi, President and CEO at Family Health Council of Central Pennsylvania: “FHCCP is honored to work with our community and coalition partners on implementing the Adams/York Maternal Health Collective (AYMHC). Using the collective impact model, we are developing a shared vision for maternal health and implementing a plan to improve maternal health outcomes in York and Adams counties. The AYMHC prioritizes the needs of people who experience health inequities, are economically and socially marginalized, and live in communities with limited access to affordable, client-centered, high-quality health care.
“As part of FHCCP's mission to build and support community-based health networks, the AYMHC focuses on local issues and emerging needs identified in the 2024 MMRC such as access to mental health care, substance use disorder treatment/recovery support and access to protective factors which support cardiovascular health. As part of FHCCP's mission to build and support community-based health networks, the AYMHC focuses on local issues and emerging needs identified in the 2024 MMRC, such as access to mental health care, substance use disorder treatment/recovery support and access to protective factors which support cardiovascular health.”
See what Pennsylvanians are reading about the Administration’s work in the maternal healthcare space:
ABC 27: Millions invested to improve maternal, infant health in Pennsylvania
WTAJ: Over $3M invested in Pennsylvania to develop maternal health conditions
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