The Global Surgery Foundation’s Post

Only 3% of health tech companies are led by women. I happen to be at one of them, and will be at the AHA (American Heart Association) Conference this weekend discussing why that is significant. This discussion will include the Hello Heart expansion features into both menopause and pregnancy complications as we move full steam into Women's Health. The panel is, 'Women Pioneers in Health Technology'. Hello Heart

Maternal health is a vital component of public health and a key measure of a nation's progress. Despite global initiatives, many women, particularly in rural areas, continue to face life-threatening risks associated with pregnancy and childbirth. These risks arise from inadequate healthcare systems, lack of trained professionals, and limited access to necessary services. It is crucial to strengthen maternal health systems to ensure that every woman, regardless of her location or economic status, has access to quality care throughout her pregnancy, during childbirth, and in the postpartum period. This is essential for reducing maternal mortality rates and enhancing overall health outcomes. To achieve this, investment in healthcare infrastructure is required, recruitment and training of qualified health professionals and the development of policies that eliminate access barriers, thereby allowing women to receive timely and life-saving care. #CEBA #PHC #RMNCAH+N

Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) is a national campaign dedicated to raising awareness about domestic violence. NHSA AIM CCI has developed the Community Care to Address Intimate Partner Violence During and After Pregnancy Bundle, which seeks to ensure that all pregnant and postpartum women/birthing persons receive education, assessment, and support needed in response to IPV. Exposure to current or past Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is one of the leading contributors to poor maternal health outcomes, including poor pregnancy outcomes. The bundle was designed for use in non-hospital settings, such as outpatient and community-based clinical facilities, as well as by other social and supportive services agencies that may be a touchpoint during the pregnancy and postpartum journey. It provides a small set of evidence-based interventions that combines medical and improvement science to achieve improved outcomes. To view and download the bundle, visit https://lnkd.in/eT5_v-3N. For any questions, feel free to contact us at aimcci@nationalhealthystart.org.

Pregnancy-related deaths can occur up to one year after the end of pregnancy. Our new meeting package will guide your team to take action in recognizing urgent maternal warning signs in the #postpartum period. The package includes resources to facilitate a 30-minute meeting with sexual and reproductive health staff, along with tools to plan your agency's next steps: https://lnkd.in/gS_kEEdm #MaternalHealth

Women's health is a springtime staple with months, weeks, and days of observance from April to May. To all women: Know that based on recent studies, women have a higher prevalence of major vision problems than men, such as dry eye. To all expectant mothers: Keep vision changes during pregnancy top of mind, especially if you are experiencing gestational diabetes. We know the importance of early detection and treatment of eye conditions to keep your vision focused on what matters most to you. Scheduling an annual eye exam is one step towards protecting your sight.

Each year in the United States, about 700 women die from pregnancy or delivery-related problems, and many of these deaths are preventable. People who are Black/African American, American Indian/Alaska Native, or Hispanic/Latina, as well as people living in rural areas, experience higher rates of maternal morbidity and mortality. That is why NIH CEAL now includes two maternal health-focused programs, the Maternal Health Community Implementation Program (MH-CIP) and Implementing a Maternal health and PRegnancy Outcomes Vision for Everyone Community Implementation Project (IMPROVE-CIP). This Women's History Month, join us in celebrating IMPROVE-CIP and MH-CIP researchers and community partners whose work focuses on reducing disparities in maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity. Discover how #NIHCEAL supports communities and researchers who are working together towards a future in which the experience of pregnancy and birth can be safer for everyone: https://bit.ly/48y7f8Z

Survey and vital records data from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on stillbirth indicate that Black and African American women in the United States face higher risk of stillbirth, as well as higher risks of other adverse pregnancy outcomes, compared with White non-Hispanic women. Learn about findings and recommendations from the NICHD-led Stillbirth Working Group about U.S. stillbirth data collection, communities at higher risk, the psychological impact of stillbirth, and known stillbirth risk factors. #Stillbirth #StillbirthResearch #NICHDimpact #MaternalHealthNICHD #BMHW24 https://go.nih.gov/YaSQGS2

Quality healthcare should be available to everyone, ensuing the best possible health outcomes. This week, CT Paid Leave recognizes Black Maternal Health Week. According to the Center for American Progress, Black women are 3x more likely to die than white women during pregnancy, childbirth, and up to one year postpartum due to lower quality health care, endure racial bias and mistreatment in care, and face a heightened risk of complications from underlying chronic conditions. Even more striking - 80% of pregnancy-related deaths in the US are preventable. Learn more about Black Maternal Health Week, including what you can do, at https://lnkd.in/ehYr8bpt

💡Did you know 1 in 10 babies in the UK may be born with a restrictive membrane under their tongue? This condition, known as tongue tie, can make feeding difficult for some infants. As a member of the Association of Tongue Tie Practitioners, I’ve seen how early intervention can make a difference. While not all cases need treatment, babies with significantly reduced tongue function can benefit from a simple procedure to release the restriction. Why Seek Help? ➡️ Breastfeeding: Early intervention can improve a baby's ability to latch and feed effectively. ➡️ Oral Development: Addressing tongue tie can prevent future speech and dental issues. ➡️ Parental Relief: Proper support can alleviate the stress of feeding difficulties. If you're concerned about tongue tie in your newborn, seek advice from local qualified practitioners. Early support makes a big difference! Any questions? Feel free to reach out, I’m happy to help. #tonguetie #newborncare #parenting #feedingchallenges #sealthsupport [Tongue tie data: ATF]

What did we achieve during #SMW2024? This week, we raised awareness about the gaps in maternal and women’s healthcare, tackled pressing questions about accountability in care, and opened a public consultation to gather expert and community insights. Key themes explored include: ✅ The importance of a life course approach in women’s health. ✅ Elevating patient perspectives to drive better outcomes in R&D. ✅ Closing the gaps in maternal health and ensuring safe medicine use during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Together, we’ve taken a critical step toward creating globally replicable frameworks and partnerships to put women at the heart of healthcare innovation. Stay tuned as we turn these insights into actionable change. 🌸 ➡️ https://lnkd.in/eFEFvnwQ #SafeMotherhoodWeek #WomensHealthMatters #MaternalCare