Ovia Health’s Post

Rural women face greater risks during pregnancy compared to their urban counterparts, with higher rates of maternal mortality and premature births among infants. Challenges in rural America include hospital closures, workforce shortages, financial struggles, transportation issues, lack of insurance, and social stigma around mental health care. To address these issues, investing in rural healthcare facilities, providing financial aid, increasing maternal health care providers, improving transportation access, and reducing mental health stigma are crucial steps. Learn more about restoring access to maternity care in rural America: https://lnkd.in/g78DaWD2

Black women across the UK are four times more likely to die in pregnancy and childbirth. This new article reports that black mothers are almost twice as likely to be investigated for potential NHS safety failings and reminds us of the urgent need for equitable healthcare: https://lnkd.in/geN-D4nw An example of a solution aiming to reduce this inequity is Melanatal App. Being built by Ruby Jackson, this app will educate clinicians and service users within maternity services to bridge critical knowledge gaps, aiding detection and improving diagnosis rates to increase treatment uptake. Reducing maternal health disparities will undoubtedly require a multifaceted approach. In what ways do you see digital health playing a part in this? #HealthEquity #DigitalHealth

In just a few days, Jasper County's only birthing center will close its doors on October 15, pushing women to travel over 20 miles and nearly 30 minutes for care, three times the national average. One-third of Iowa’s 99 counties now face a dire reality, no access to birthing hospitals, birth centers, or obstetric doctors, according to March of Dimes. Since 2000, 41 birthing units have shut down, and between 2019 and 2020 alone, Iowa saw a 6.7% drop in birthing hospitals. This crisis is forcing expectant mothers to travel longer distances, with 14% of Iowans now living more than 30 minutes from the nearest birthing center, compared to a national average of 9.7%. The consequences are clear: as Iowa’s rural hospitals lose 62% of their labor and delivery services, maternal and infant health are at greater risk. Higher rates of inadequate prenatal care, stillbirths, and NICU admissions are the direct result of this growing desert of maternity care. These closures are not just numbers, they represent lives put in jeopardy. #MaternalHealth #IowaHealthCrisis #MaternityCareDeserts #HealthcareAccess #PrenatalCare #PublicHealth https://lnkd.in/gyYY9WXD

A recent report from the March of Dimes revealed “the worsening state of #maternitycare across the country.” Since the last report in 2022, more than 100 hospitals shuttered their #obstetric units, leading to a significant decrease in maternity care access, according to the release. Now, more than one-third of counties in the U.S. are classified as maternity care deserts, and patients in these areas see a 13% higher preterm birth risk. https://lnkd.in/ewdEjii7

Dexter: Maternal Health    Dexter is delighted to announce our involvement in a grant recently awarded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR). The grant focuses on tackling inequalities in maternal health outcomes across the UK, covering the periods before, during, and after pregnancy. The consortium’s goal is to build research capacity to improve maternal care and outcomes.    At Dexter, we are proud to support this important initiative by automating key tasks and leveraging electronic health records to enhance research and care delivery. Together, we aim to make a meaningful impact on maternal health.     https://lnkd.in/e2Q6GxPg 

Every day, almost 800 women die in America from pregnancy or childbirth. Among its Western peers, the U.S. holds the worst outcomes for maternal health, with minority communities experiencing significantly worse outcomes. This issue is exacerbated by the recent wave of hospital closures. In 2024 alone, 19 hospitals have ceased their maternity services, primarily due to financial pressures, workforce shortages, and declining birth rates. These closures disproportionately affect rural areas, where over 200 hospitals have shut down their delivery services in the past decade, impacting nearly 1 in 10 babies born in the country. The consequences of these closures are severe. They limit access to essential care for pregnant women, particularly in underserved and minority communities, compounding existing disparities. Addressing these systemic issues and ensuring that every mother irrespective of race, ethnicity or social condition has access to quality care is paramount. https://lnkd.in/eQ8H3YJf #HealthEquity #MaternalHealth #RuralHealthcare

“How is it that we got paid $1,000 for nine months of prenatal care, labor and delivery, and postpartum care, but one hour of a joint replacement gets paid $1,600?” Cooper asks, referring to Alabama’s Medicaid compensation rates. It takes a truly ignorant person to not see that women's health and maternal health aren't valued by our higher institutions, organizations, policymakers, leaders, and many in our society. So, the attached financial value to services for women's and maternal health naturally reflects that. Not only is this gender bias deeply entrenched in medicine and science, we also see this in health insurance. Key example is the low rates of reimbursement for birth workers by the ongoing Tricare Childbirth and Breastfeeding Support Demonstration (CBSD). I remember asking why health insurance companies aren't interested in maternal health and pregnancy. "There isn't money in it. It costs more than making a profit," I'm told. Profit. It's becoming a dirty word for me. So, once again, I ask, "Why should women choose to have children when our health and quality of life is, at best, an after-thought?" Leaders. You want your nation's birth rates to get better? You want economic growth? Most importantly, do you want to continue to be looked after in your old age? Then, look after the mothers in your country. Look after the fathers and non-birthing partners who want to be involved in childraising. Truly and intentionally look after the families in your country. Then, you'll have a pension and social + health system that can keep you comfortable in your old age and afford to help you pass with dignity when your time comes. #maternalhealth #profit #womenshealth #menshealth #paternalhealth #postpartum #postnatal #genderbias #gendergap #tricare #cbsd #militaryspouse #birthworkers #pregnancy #birthrate #fertilityrate Read the full article here by TIME:

Addressing the "postpartum cliff" may be as simple as sending a few text messages. A recent study highlights how targeted SMS reminders can significantly improve postpartum care follow-up rates. The study found that 40% of new mothers who received these messages completed their primary care visits, compared to just 22% who did not receive any messages. At FemBridge, we recognize the importance of continuous care for new mothers. By integrating automated interventions and reducing administrative burdens, we can better support maternal health and ensure a smoother transition from pregnancy to primary care. https://lnkd.in/eWZNXeDr