AIM for Safer Birth Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health

In this special episode during Black Maternal Health Week, we delve into some of the critical issues surrounding maternal health disparities in the U.S. and the ongoing initiatives to address them. Host Christie Allen welcomes two distinguished guests: Congresswoman Lauren Underwood, co-chair of the Black Maternal Health Caucus, and Carole Johnson, Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). Together, they discuss the groundbreaking Enhancing Maternal Health Initiative, the Momnibus legislation, and the urgent need for comprehensive support for maternal health across the United States. Don't miss this insightful conversation on how we can work together to ensure safer births and healthier outcomes for all families.
This show is brought to you by the Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health (AIM). Join us in the journey toward safer, more equitable maternal care and learn more about AIM at saferbirth.org.

This podcast is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration, HRSA, of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, HHS, as part of an initiative to improve maternal health outcomes.

Join us as we dive deeper into the rising severe maternal morbidity and maternal mortality rates in the United States through a data-driven, quality improvement lens. Each episode will foster discussion with those committed to improving maternal health outcomes and saving lives.
This show is brought to you by the Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health (AIM). Join us in the journey toward safer, more equitable maternal care and learn more about AIM at saferbirth.org.

This podcast is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration, HRSA, of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, HHS, as part of an initiative to improve maternal health outcomes.

Navigating the challenges of addressing disparities and injustices in healthcare can feel overwhelming, but it's essential to remember that change begins with a desire to make a difference. In this episode, Christie and  Dr. Gillispie-Bell discuss how acknowledging the need for change and understanding the difficulty of the journey are the starting points for positive transformation. With a focus on practical steps, they address how healthcare providers can engage with systems and structures already in place to promote equity. From engaging with quality departments and hospital teams to fostering a culture of transparency, they outline actionable strategies for both providers and institutions to create a future where safe and equitable births are the norm.

This show is brought to you by the Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health (AIM). Join us in the journey toward safer, more equitable maternal care and learn more about AIM at saferbirth.org.

This podcast is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration, HRSA, of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, HHS, as part of an initiative to improve maternal health outcomes.

In this episode, Dr. Gillispie-Bell and Christie address the common myths surrounding equity and improving quality of care within the healthcare system. They discuss whether clinicians are inherently racist and the complex interplay between individual intentions, systemic biases, and how equity and quality are inherently intertwined. emphasizing that trust and relationship-building are pivotal for achieving positive patient outcomes. Dr. Gillispie-Bell and Christie also challenge the notion of blaming patients for non-compliance with care, and emphasize that the onus is on the healthcare system to provide accessible and patient-centered care. They also tackle the misconception that socioeconomic status alone can explain maternal health disparities, and highlight the importance of acknowledging and dismantling systemic biases.

This show is brought to you by the Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health (AIM). Join us in the journey toward safer, more equitable maternal care and learn more about AIM at saferbirth.org.

This podcast is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration, HRSA, of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, HHS, as part of an initiative to improve maternal health outcomes.

Data isn't about assigning blame but rather about uncovering gaps in care delivery and equipping healthcare teams to improve processes. In this episode, Christie and  Dr. Gillispie-Bell talk about the critical role that measurement and disaggregated data play in understanding and addressing disparities in maternal care. They discuss the challenges and importance of collecting accurate race and ethnicity data, revealing how it unveils stark disparities in outcomes and care, and explore the systemic biases ingrained in the medical field, such as the historical portrayal of race as a biological risk factor. They discuss how these biases impact care delivery, perpetuating unfounded myths about pain tolerance, skin thickness, and more.

This show is brought to you by the Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health (AIM). Join us in the journey toward safer, more equitable maternal care and learn more about AIM at saferbirth.org.

This podcast is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration, HRSA, of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, HHS, as part of an initiative to improve maternal health outcomes.

In this episode,  Dr. Gillispie-Bell and Christie delve into the difficulties of measuring equity and addressing barriers in maternal-child health data. They discuss the challenges of capturing accurate data in a fragmented healthcare system, the limitations of electronic medical records (EMRs) in measuring quality metrics, and the importance of contextualizing data within the broader landscape of social determinants of health. The two share insights from their experiences in quality improvement and offer a candid conversation about the need for continuous quality improvement, sustainability of positive changes, and the potential for data-driven innovation in addressing severe maternal morbidity and mortality rates in the United States. Join them as they explore the multifaceted nature of improving maternal-child health outcomes and the joy that comes with understanding the possibilities of change.
This show is brought to you by the Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health (AIM). Join us in the journey toward safer, more equitable maternal care and learn more about AIM at saferbirth.org.

This podcast is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration, HRSA, of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, HHS, as part of an initiative to improve maternal health outcomes.