Harrisburg, PA – In a significant move to enhance the well-being of pregnant women and infants, the Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) has announced the selection of four organizations to spearhead regional coalitions focused on tackling critical maternal health challenges at the local level. This initiative, funded by the Shapiro Administration, directly addresses the urgent need to improve maternal health outcomes across the state, drawing upon the recommendations outlined in the 2024 Pennsylvania Maternal Mortality Review Committee (MMRC) report. Notably, the Maternity Care Coalition has been chosen to lead the efforts in the Southeast region of Pennsylvania.
Dr. Debra Bogen, the Secretary of Health, emphasized the gravity of pregnancy-associated deaths, stating, “Pregnancy-associated deaths occur far too often, especially among Black women.” She further highlighted the importance of this regional approach: “The creation of regional coalitions specifically focused on addressing the root causes of pregnancy-associated illness and death in their own communities is critical to improving outcomes. The Shapiro-Davis Administration is committed to supporting community-level response to ensure that every family across the Commonwealth can thrive and live to their fullest potential.”
The selection process, conducted through a Request for Applications (RFA), has identified leaders for four key regions:
- South Central: The Pennsylvania State University
- Central: Family Health Council of Central Pennsylvania, Inc.
- Northeast: Maternal and Family Health Services, Inc.
- Southeast: Maternity Care Coalition
These coalitions will play a crucial role in data-driven improvements. Each coalition will be responsible for gathering and analyzing regional data to pinpoint the specific factors contributing to maternal mortality and morbidity within their communities. By leveraging this data and fostering partnerships, they will strategically implement recommendations from the MMRC report that are most relevant to improving maternal health for women and babies in their respective regions. For the Southeast region, the Maternity Care Coalition brings its established expertise and community focus to this vital task.
The selection criteria for these organizations were rigorous, focusing on the soundness of their proposed approach, the qualifications of their personnel, their organizational capabilities, and their comprehensive understanding of the project’s objectives. The selected applicants, including the Maternity Care Coalition, will now enter a contract negotiation phase to finalize budget allocations and the scope of work. This process, expected to span several months, will formalize the agreements between the Department of Health and the coalitions, ensuring full compliance with the RFA requirements.
Governor Josh Shapiro’s commitment to maternal health is underscored by the dedicated funding for these grants, included in his budget proposals for the first two years of his administration. Recognizing the stark racial disparities in maternal health outcomes, particularly for Black mothers who face nearly double the risk of death during pregnancy or in the year following childbirth compared to white women, the 2024-25 budget builds upon last year’s investments with an additional $2.6 million. This funding is specifically earmarked to bolster prenatal care, promote crucial maternal health education, address persistent racial disparities, and strengthen essential support systems. The ultimate goal is to ensure every pregnant woman in Pennsylvania has access to the comprehensive care needed for a safe and healthy pregnancy and childbirth journey.
The urgency of this initiative is highlighted by the concerning national trends in maternal health. Maternal mortality rates have been on the rise in recent years. In Pennsylvania alone, 2020 saw a tragic rate of 83 pregnancy-associated deaths per 100,000 live births. This translates to 107 Pennsylvanians losing their lives during pregnancy, delivery, or within the first year postpartum.
To further support these critical efforts, the Department of Health has recently launched the Division of Maternal Health Services. This new division will play a key role in supporting the administration of the MMRC and the effective implementation of these grant-funded regional coalitions, including the Maternity Care Coalition in the Southeast.
More detailed information regarding the RFA issued in March can be found online here.
