Health care systems, schools work together to support maternal and infant health
The SOS MATERNITY Network, led by Wayne State University鈥檚 Office of Women鈥檚 Health, has been launched to address high maternal and infant mortality rates in Michigan. Fourteen leading maternal-fetal medicine universities and health care systems, including Henry Ford Health, are collaborating in the effort.
The state has allocated $11 million to fund this initiative to reduce preventable causes of death in mothers and children by ensuring access to the best possible care for every pregnant mother in Michigan. The network will host community events to educate expectant mothers on promoting healthier pregnancies and will provide free transportation to prenatal appointments through a partnership with Lyft.
The network鈥檚 roots trace back to the Southern Michigan Regional COVID-19 Collaborative, which collected data on maternal-fetal health outcomes during the pandemic. They found higher rates of preterm birth, preeclampsia and health disparities among pregnant women with COVID-19. The SOS MATERNITY Network now seeks to standardize best practices across Michigan, increase access to prenatal care and create support systems for pregnant mothers. The participating institutions, including Henry Ford Health, are responsible for over 50,000 deliveries per year in Michigan.
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