September 25, 2023 U.S. Maternal Deaths Rise as Health Disparities Increase; Local Resources Offer Support A new study in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) has revealed significant increases in pregnancy-related deaths across the United States, with disproportionate losses among Black, Native American, and Alaska Native people. About the Study Entitled, “Trends in State-Level Maternal Mortality by Racial and Ethnic Group in the United States,” the study analyzed state-by-state census data from 1999 to 2019 on pregnant or recently pregnant individuals aged 10 to 54 years, to provide comprehensive evidence on maternal morbidity and to guide policies aimed at preventing maternal deaths. Key Findings Results revealed a stark spike in maternal mortality rates, with pregnancy-related deaths more than doubling among all racial and ethnic groups across the U.S. over the last 20 years, and more than tripling for Native American and Alaska Native people. However, maternal mortality remains the highest among the nation’s Black population, continuing historic trends. Unfortunately, worsening healthcare for Black and BIPOC mothers—a trend typically relegated to southern states—is expanding. According to the study, New York and New Jersey saw an increase in Black and Latina deaths, while more Asian mothers died in Wyoming and Montana. Supporting Information In interviews with study authors and other medical professionals, WESA, an NPR affiliate, revealed the uniqueness of this upward trend, noting that other high-income countries have seen their maternal morbidity rates decline as a result of increasingly accessible healthcare. Consequently, state review committees consider most maternal deaths preventable, as most deaths appear linked to untreated health conditions and complications. Thus, WESA sites researchers are advocating for improved access to care, which Medicaid may allow, as the program pays for about half of U.S. births. Local Maternal Health Resources Local programs and services may help new and expecting mothers in the Greater Pittsburgh Area and Pennsylvania. Some of these resources include: 211 Pennsylvania Prenatal Care Services AHN Pregnancy and Newborn Services Allegheny County Office of Family and Child Health Catholic Charities Roselia Pregnancy and Parenting Support Services HealthCare.gov: Health Coverage If You’re Pregnant, Plan to Get Pregnant, or Recently Gave Birth Healthy Beginnings Plus Healthy Start Pittsburgh Hello Baby: Home Visiting Medical Assistance for Children and Pregnant Women The Midwife Center for Birth & Women’s Health UPMC Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine Learn More Find the status of local maternal health and learn about the state maternal morbidity review committee on the Pennsylvania Department of Health website. To learn more, read the NPR and WESA article, “U.S. maternal deaths keep rising. Here’s who is most at risk.” Sources Information for this post was taken directly from “Trends in State-Level Maternal Mortality by Racial and Ethnic Group in the United States”—a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA)—and the NPR and WESA article, “U.S. maternal deaths keep rising. Here’s who is most at risk.” Text has been added, paraphrased, and adapted for reproduction, readability, and comprehension, and resources curated from a number of online sources. Related Content & Resources National Maternal Mental Health Hotline Available Prenatal-to-Three Playbook Details State of Child Care in Allegheny County, Shares Resources Resources for May Observances: Mother’s Day PA Receives $1.2 Million to Promote Maternal and Child Health Through 2026
September 8, 2020 Parent and Child Voices: Fathering and Co-Parenting Are you interested in learning about the Supporting Father Involvement (SFI) program? Join Brazelton Touchpoints Center on October 20 for their webinar, “Parent and Child Voices: The Importance of Fathering and Co-Parenting.” About This webinar will feature the voices of children, fathers, and mothers on the importance of fathering and co-parenting. Presenters will explore how the SFI program helps parents learn to hear what their partners and children need, and figure out—together—the routines, parenting strategies, and future plans they want to keep or change to best sustain their family. The webinar will include short videos of children talking about what their father’s presence or absence means to them, and of parents discussing how SFI changed their families. Registration To register and learn more, visit the Brazelton Touchpoints Center website.
September 3, 2020 Single Mom Defined: Babysitting Cooperative Attention single moms! Single Mom Defined launched a new countywide babysitting cooperative to strengthen single mom’s support systems and provide mothers with temporary relief to address personal needs such as sleep, medical treatment, or alone time. About Through Single Mom Defined’s babysitting cooperative, mothers will take turns watching each other’s children and participate in online and in-person programs at no cost. Participating mothers will also receive training and certifications, such as CPR. Eligibility Single Mom Defined’s babysitting cooperative is open to mothers in Clairton, East Hills, Homewood (including Lincoln, Larimer, and Lemington), and the Hilltop (including Arlington, Beltzhoover, and Knoxville). Space is limited. To become a member, complete the online Babysitting Co-Op Interest Form. After submitting the form, a member of the Single Mom Defined team will contact you to follow up. More Information For questions, email hello@singlemomdefined.com. Share this flyer with your network.
January 21, 2020 Community Baby Shower | Hosanna House Beverly’s Birthdays, a Pittsburgh-based nonprofit that provides birthday cheer for children experiencing homelessness and families in need, is hosting free community baby showers in 2020 for expecting women/partners who would benefit from services and resources. Attendees will receive lunch, play games, win prizes, receive a newborn care package, and connect with resource providers. These events are designed for expecting parents or individuals caring for a newborn (0-3 months). Available Dates February 17, 2020 (McKeesport, East McKeesport, Wilmerding, and White Oak) White Oak Athletic Association | 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. | PDF February 27, 2020 Wilkins Event Center / Hosanna House | 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. | PDF Learn More To see if you qualify and to register, contact Beverly’s Birthdays at 724.590.5106 or getinvolved@beverlysbirthdays.org. Learn more about Beverly’s Birthdays by visiting their website.
January 15, 2020 Breastfeeding Class Are you interested in learning more about breastfeeding? Attend Breastfeeding Classes at The Midwife Center for Birth & Women’s Health in Pittsburgh! About Whether this is your first baby or you have breastfed before, if you want to learn more about the new information available about breastfeeding, join The Midwife Center for their fun, informal classes. Partners are encouraged to attend, as well as any other family members. Classes designed for women who are between the 33rd and 37th week of pregnancy. Classes will feature information on: breast care and problems; positioning and latch-on; how often and how long to nurse; how to determine if your baby is getting enough; pumping and storing milk; and more! Registration To register for a Breastfeeding Class, download the Class Registration Form or call 412.321.6880. Please note that a scholarship fund is available for people who meet the income requirements. More Information For more information, visit The Midwife Center website.
November 15, 2019 Pennsylvania Expands Home Visiting Support In October 2019, the Wolf Administration announced that, under the guidance of the Department of Human Services (DHS), it is expanding home visiting supports to first-time mothers and mothers of children with special needs covered by Medicaid. The expansion, made possible in collaboration with physical health Medicaid managed care organizations (MCOs), will guarantee at least two home visits to new parents and families with children with additional risk factors across Pennsylvania, expanding access to evidence-based models that promote and support healthy child and family development. About Since 2015, investments totaling nearly $16.5 million in state funds have helped increase the number of children and families who can receive home visiting supports in communities around Pennsylvania. Guaranteeing a minimum of two home visits to all first-time mothers and mothers of children with special needs through Medicaid continues this work. “Being a parent can be a challenge for anyone,” said Secretary Miller. “Because children don’t come with an instruction manual, home visiting programs create support systems for families to learn to better understand children’s needs, monitor milestones, and identify other opportunities for support that can continue to facilitate healthy long-term growth.” The home visiting expansion is effective January 1, 2020 through the MCOs’ 2020 agreement. Under the new agreements, MCOs will be required to establish an evidence-based, standardized maternal, infant, and early childhood home visitation program for all first-time parents and parents of infants with additional risk factors. All parents and children identified through this effort will receive at least two home visits at no cost, and depending on need, may be referred to other established home visiting programs to continue these services. DHS expects that these programs will be in place with eligible new parents receiving home visiting services by July 1, 2020. “There is no more important focus of my administration than giving all children and families a strong start,” Gov. Wolf said. “By expanding access to evidence-based home visiting programs, we will put more kids, parents, and families on a path to a healthy, happy future.” What is Home Visiting? Evidence-based home visiting family support programs have a family-centered focus and strength-based approach that works with both the child and parent. A home visitor can help parents gain the skills and connect to resources necessary to improve their family’s health, safety, economic security, and success in early childhood education. Studies of various nurse-family partnership programs have shown positive impacts for the mother and baby during pregnancy and after birth, such as a decrease in domestic violence and smoking during pregnancy, a significant decrease in pre-term births, and a majority of babies being born at a healthy weight. Home visiting can also improve parents’ child development knowledge and skills, help develop social support systems, and improve access to education, health, and community services. Examples of services include: monthly parent meetings; regularly scheduled home visits with trained family development specialists; and routine screenings to identify post-partum depression and detect potential problems with vision, hearing, growth, and learning age-based milestones. What You Can Do While there have been increased investments in home visiting, only 15,900 children are estimated to be served in the current state fiscal year. That’s only five percent of the children who would benefit from these services the most. Join the statewide campaign Childhood Begins at Home in advocating to maintain and build on state investments in evidence-based home visiting. More Information For more information, read the full release. *Information provided by the Governor Tom Wolf Administration
September 16, 2019 Postpartum Depression Symposium Are you interested in gaining insight on the detection and diagnosis of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders and on new and existing treatment options? Join Washington County Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (BHDS) on October 30 for their free Postpartum Depression Symposium! About Guest speakers will include experts in the field as well as a video featuring local mothers who have been impacted by perinatal depression, anxiety, or other mood disorders. Resource tables will also be available. Lunch and snacks included. Rebecca J. Weinberg, PsyD Clinical Psychologist, Allegheny Health Network Dr. Priya Gopalan, MD University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine / UPMC Magee-Women’s Hospital Robert Gallen, PhD, IMH-E® Associate Professor of Psychology, University of Pittsburgh Stephanie D. Wier, LPC, NCC, BSL Mental Health Therapist, Sprout Center for Emotional Growth and Development, LLC Co-Sponsors Trying Together will offer PQAS and Act 48 credits free to participants. California University of PA will offer CEU’s in Social Work & Psychology at the cost of $15 per participant. Registration To register, visit the symposium Eventbrite page! Learn More For questions, contact Washington County BHDS at 724.228.6832.
September 9, 2019 Rise Together Need a family fun Friday night? Join families at The Homewood Early Learning Hub and Family Center for a night of fun-filled games and activities. Parents and caregivers can explore ways to interact with their children to promote growth through play. Rise Together takes place on the Fourth Friday of each month from 6 – 7:30 p.m. at The Homewood Early Learning Hub & Family Center (7219 Kelly Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15208). Learn More For more information, contact Nicole Banner at 412.540.5970 or nicole@tryingtogether.org. Share this flyer with your networks.
Rise Together Need a family fun Friday night? Join families at The Homewood Early Learning Hub and Family Center for a night of fun-filled games and activities. Parents and caregivers can explore ways to interact with their children to promote growth through play. Rise Together takes place on the Fourth Friday of each month from 6 – 7:30 p.m. at The Homewood Early Learning Hub & Family Center (7219 Kelly Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15208). Learn More For more information, contact Nicole Banner at 412.540.5970 or nicole@tryingtogether.org. Share this flyer with your networks.
Rise Together Need a family fun Friday night? Join families at The Homewood Early Learning Hub and Family Center for a night of fun-filled games and activities. Parents and caregivers can explore ways to interact with their children to promote growth through play. Rise Together takes place on the Fourth Friday of each month from 6 – 7:30 p.m. at The Homewood Early Learning Hub & Family Center (7219 Kelly Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15208). Learn More For more information, contact Nicole Banner at 412.540.5970 or nicole@tryingtogether.org. Share this flyer with your networks.
