Advancing Maternal Health Initiative

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Pregnancy-related deaths in the U.S. has risen over the last three decades and cardiovascular disease is the leading cause1. Heart disease during pregnancy leaves women with a higher lifetime risk of cardiovascular disease after delivery and leads to an increased risk for their children. 
More specifically, high blood pressure during pregnancy, preeclampsia and gestational diabetes are associated with significantly greater risks of later heart disease and death from cardiovascular disease1. Despite existing medical guidance on pregnancy and cardiovascular health, current trends in health outcomes suggest a significant opportunity for an improved system of care, particularly in the postpartum period. 

The American Heart Association (AHA) launched a comprehensive initiative, Advancing Maternal Health Initiative, in July 2022 with funding support from Merck for Mothers, Merck’s global maternal health effort to help create a world where no woman has to die while giving birth. 

Initiative objectives include:

  • Identify gaps in quality-of-care following delivery across the first year postpartum in a variety of healthcare 
  • Develop and disseminate recommendations for ideal postpartum care as it relates to cardiovascular disease to drive continuous quality improvement
  • Narrow silos in postpartum care and strengthen community-clinical linkages
  • Explore preconception and interconception care in clinical and community settings 
     

Source:
[1] Vaidya, D., Gonzalez, J. M., Anderson, C. A., Judd, S. E., Rexrode, K. M., Hlatky, M. A., Gunderson, E. P., & Stuart, J. J. (2021, March 29). Six Pregnancy Complications are Among Red Flags for Heart Disease Later in Life. American Heart Association. https://newsroom.heart.org/news/six-pregnancy-complications-are-among-red-flags-for-heart-disease-later-in-life?preview=6d1b&preview_mode=True

Postpartum Care Recommendations and Toolkit

Learn about the four recommendations that aim to provide evidence-based, actionable strategies for clinical and community teams to enhance postpartum care.
View Recommendations
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Webinar: Advancing Maternal Health: Exploring the Impact of Hypertension Guidelines in Pregnancy

Watch the Webinar
 

Resources:

American Heart Association Publications on Maternal Health:

 

 

 

Map of participating advancing maternal health initiative sites

 

This program is supported by funding from Merck, through Merck for Mothers, the company’s global initiative to help create a world where no woman has to die while giving life. Merck for Mothers is known as MSD for Mothers outside the United States and Canada.
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