Maya Health Alliance | Wuqu'​ Kawoq ’s Post

Black Maternal Health Week, April 11 – 17, 2024, is an opportunity to raise awareness and take action to improve the health of Black mothers. I came across this interesting opinion piece in the Hartford Currant, "Black Maternal Mortality and the Need for Black Midwives," by Ashleigh Evans, where she shared that "Connecticut shows both significant and persistent racial disparities in both maternal and infant health care. In the city of New Haven, for every infant born to a white mother that does not survive beyond his/her first birthday, three infants born to Black mothers will not see their first birthdays. Black mothers in the state of Connecticut are also 1.5 times more likely to give birth before thirty-seven weeks gestation, earning the state a C+ as a “pre-term birth grade” from the March of Dimes." We know that black women face higher risks during pregnancy. Nationally, they are 2-3 times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women! This year, for Black Maternal Health Week, give yourself and your patients the gift of knowledge. Our Pregnancy & Postpartum CE collection includes a course on black maternal health, where you can learn how to recognize that most pregnancy-related deaths are preventable. Our expert, Christa Jean Baptiste, FNP, describes how providers can work with patients to reduce black maternal mortality. According to the CDC, in 2021, the maternal mortality rate for Black women was 69.9 deaths per 100,000 live births. This means that in 2021, there were nearly 70 deaths for every 100,000 live births among Black women. This mini-course should be mandatory for all of us. We learned a lot about the disparities and significant challenges that black women face during pregnancy and postpartum. We have some work to do, but thanks to people like Christa, we are learning and creating a safe space. We know you will learn A LOT! Check out our CE collections here: https://lnkd.in/e-kvz5J3 You can read the article here - https://lnkd.in/eUGvJM_f

Rowan University Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion sat down with Jaylyn Thompson, OSM III, to discuss her advocacy in addressing the black maternal mortality crisis. Read more about Thompson's advocacy; medical education goals, and more! go.rowan.edu/deithompsonli

Today is World Prematurity Day, raising awareness of the challenges and burden of preterm birth globally. World Prematurity Day is symbolised by the EFCNI - European Foundation for the Care of Newborn Infants socksline. The small pair of purple socks – framed by nine full-size baby socks – highlights the 1 in every 10 preterm births worldwide. Join us in ● Raising awareness about preterm birth and its impact on babies, families, and healthcare systems. ● Advocating for policy changes that ensure access to quality care for all preterm babies, regardless of where, when, or how they are born. ● Highlighting the role of healthcare professionals in saving lives and improving outcomes for preterm infants. ● Celebrating the resilience of preterm babies and their families, while remembering those who have lost their lives due to preventable complications. #WorldPrematurityDay2024

Simple ideas can make a big impact on patient experience. That’s what Ideas Tank, the Women’s version of Shark Tank, is all about. Staff are invited to pitch ideas to enhance the experience of women and babies at the hospital. The winning ideas are brought to life thanks to funding from sponsors Hesta and Smartsalary. Specialist midwives Pepe Robertson and Laura Seymour had the idea to provide TENS machines to people giving birth through the Women’s Alcohol and Drug Service (WADS). A TENS machine is a small portable machine that women can use in early labour to help relieve lower back and contraction pain. Laura says: “TENS work best when used in early labour at home. But for many people coming through WADS, this is not within their means. “This simple, relatively affordable method of pain relief in labour could make a big difference – helping women receiving WADS care to experience an empowering labour and birth. This can be profoundly healing.” Read more about this and other ideas at the Women’s website: https://lnkd.in/gx-Q_UAa

New national guidelines for the care of very preterm babies have been released today. They will help ensure that children born very preterm reach their full potential – no matter where they live in Australia. The guidelines are an Australian first. Professor Jeanie Cheong led their development in her role at Murdoch Children's Research Institute (MCRI). Professor Cheong is also a neonatal paediatrician at the Women’s. She says the guidelines focus on the follow-up care of babies up until their sixth birthday. “Many children born at less than 32 weeks receive some sort of follow-up,” Prof Cheong says. “But it can often depend on where you live and on your access to healthcare.” The guidelines detail how GP clinics, hospitals, and other healthcare centres can work together to care for these tiny babies after they leave hospital. The aim is that all children will have access to ongoing, transformative care. This way, any health concerns can be identified and treated early. We’re very proud that our clinicians have helped create the guidelines – well done! Read more: https://lnkd.in/eKUVbqCP National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) #Neonates #NICU #ExcellenceInResearch 

📢 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭! In partnership with EFCNI - European Foundation for the Care of Newborn Infants we are issuing a 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐊𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐫𝐨𝐨 𝐌𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐞 (𝐊𝐌𝐂). This essential neonatal care practice involves continuous skin-to-skin contact, exclusive breastfeeding, and timely discharge from the NICU. It’s a low-cost, high-outcome intervention that significantly improves health outcomes for newborns and supports families globally. Key benefits of KMC include: - reducing infant mortality and infections - improving growth, brain development, and long-term outcomes - strengthening bonding and reducing stress for infants and parents - lowering hospital costs and easing the workload for healthcare professionals Despite these benefits, some hospitals are unjustly charging families for KMC. We strongly oppose such practices and 𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐧𝐞𝐰𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐧’𝐬 𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞𝐬𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞. Join us in this crucial advocacy effort. Read our full statement here: https://lnkd.in/e8_kQFKR #KangarooMotherCare #GlobalHealth #FamilyEmpowerment #HealthcareAdvocacy #RightToCare

AMAV is committed to supporting doctors who are nursing to express or feed in the workplace. Late last year our Workplace Relations team requested information about compliance with the breastfeeding clauses from health services signatory to the Enterprise Agreements. Read more about the breastfeeding facility audit results in the latest #VICDOC: amav.me/vicdoc

NICU, SNCU & MNCU Inauguration by Honorable Chief Minister and Honorable Health Minister of Government of Meghalaya along with Resp Principal Secretary and Mission Director - NHM. The inauguration of a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), Special Newborn Care Unit (SNCU) and Mother and Newborn Care Unit (MNCU) in Meghalaya, which is a significant step towards reducing newborn mortality in the region. These units are designed to provide specialized care for critically ill and premature newborns, addressing complications that often lead to high infant mortality rates. Key Features of NICU & SNCU: A) Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU): This unit is equipped to handle the most severe cases, providing round-the-clock care for newborns who need intensive monitoring, respiratory support, and other advanced medical interventions. B) Special Newborn Care Unit (SNCU): Designed for babies who are less critically ill but still require specialized care, the SNCU helps stabilize newborns before they can be discharged or transferred to a NICU if needed. C) Mother and Newborn Care Unit (MNCU): MNCU is another crucial development aimed at improving maternal and neonatal health outcomes. The MNCU integrates care for both mothers and newborns, ensuring that they receive comprehensive and continuous healthcare during and after childbirth. Expected Impact: #Reduction in Newborn Mortality: By providing immediate and specialized care, these units are expected to significantly reduce the number of newborn deaths, particularly in cases of preterm birth, low birth weight, and birth-related complications. #Improved Access to Critical Care: Establishing these units in Meghalaya improves access to essential neonatal services, particularly in remote and underserved areas where healthcare infrastructure is often lacking. #Capacity Building: The establishment of NICUs and SNCUs also helps in training local healthcare providers, ensuring that they are equipped with the skills and knowledge to manage complex neonatal cases. This initiative aligns with broader efforts to improve maternal and child health in the state and is expected to contribute to achieving better health outcomes for newborns in Meghalaya https://lnkd.in/g28CteB7

Let's talk about Healthy Aging for ALL phases in life!

RCN MEMBER ONLY EVENT 🖥 Come join the Royal College of Nursing - Company collaboration webinar with OUTpatients and UCATs for 'Transforming care for transgender patients: Awareness, access, and affirmation'. This is a cross forum collaboration between GPN, Women's Health, Cancer and Fertility Forums. In this session we will: 🌟 Describe different transgender identities, terminology and language and apply these in practice. 🌟 Understand the barriers to care transgender people face Describe the basic gender-affirming care treatments patient may wish to access 🌟 Identify ways they can improve care for transgender patients. Ethna McFerran, Lauren Dollive, Prof Vanessa T., Patricia Hughes, Katy Smyth, Ruth Bailey MSc BSc (Hons) RGN Onc Cert DFSRH FRT QN, 💫