Online Program

278808
Role of title v MCH programs in state maternal mortality reviews: Moving recommendations to action


Tuesday, November 5, 2013

Tegan Callahan, MPH, CDC Public Health Prevention Service, CDC Public Health Prevention Service Fellow/Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs, Washington, DC
Caroline Stampfel, MPH, Program Team, Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs, Washington, DC
David Goodman, MS, PhD, Division of Reproductive Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
More than two women a day die in the U.S. due to pregnancy-related causes. Maternal mortality review (MMR) committees are necessary for ensuring all pregnancy-related deaths are identified and reviewed, and effective prevention actions are developed.

Throughout 2011 and 2012, the Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention partnered on an assessment of maternal death review programs. Twenty state and 2 local MMRs were selected, based on best evidence they were currently active, to participate in an online assessment of MMR processes. The questionnaire assessed funding and staffing; case identification; data abstraction and review; legislation; challenges; and examples of translation. Direct key informant interviews with MMR program leadership informed the development of case studies highlighting successful translation of MMR recommendations into effective prevention actions.

The majority of MMRs depend on funding (85% among funded MMRs), and administrative and analytic support (75%), from Title V MCH Block Grant Programs. The most commonly identified challenges to conducting MMRs were: funding; accessing records; and lack of legal protection, standard guidelines for review processes, data systems, and mechanisms for networking with other reviews. Examples of translating recommendations into action include postpartum depression assessment legislation; implementing universal prenatal behavioral health screening; establishing maternal autopsy standards; and developing hypertension guidelines for pregnant women.

The MMR process plays an essential role in identifying opportunities for reducing pregnancy-related mortality and morbidity. Despite multiple challenges, MMRs in the U.S. continue to operate effectively, with Title V Programs in a central role.

Learning Areas:

Assessment of individual and community needs for health education
Conduct evaluation related to programs, research, and other areas of practice
Epidemiology
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Public health or related public policy

Learning Objectives:
Explain the structure of state-based maternal death review committees across the US Describe the function and success of state-based maternal death review committees in promoting maternal health Identify the role of Title V in state-based maternal death review committees

Keyword(s): Maternal Health, Maternal Morbidity

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have been working in the MCH field, with state Title V programs for two years and am project lead on work aimed at building the capacity of maternal death reviews. I have conducted the focused conversations and assessment activities to inform this abstract/presentation.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.