In a substantial push to confront the sobering reality of maternal mortality in Hawaiʻi, the state's Department of Health has snagged a $1.475 million federal grant aimed at reducing the number of pregnancy-related deaths. Spread over the next five years with annual increments of $295,000, the grant will bolster the efforts of the Hawaiʻi Maternal Mortality Review Committee established in 2016 to delve into the underlying causes of maternal deaths and to discern potentially life-saving interventions, and it's a fact observed nationwide that a staggering 80% or more of these deaths could have been avoided, the Department of Health has reported an average annual death toll of 10 to 12 women due to pregnancy complications in Hawaiʻi, according to the Governor's Office.
According to a statement obtained by the Governor's Office official website, "The HMMRC is essential to safeguarding the health and well-being of pregnant individuals, mothers and babies across our islands,” says Sunny Chen, executive director of Hawaiʻi Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies and a member of the committee.
A core aspect of the Hawaiʻi Maternal Mortality Review Committee's work is probing into the social determinants of health, including stark disparities in care access, the unique needs of Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander populations and the intricate ties between pregnancy-related issues and substance use disorders, mental health, and adverse childhood events. These focal points are integral in a state grappling with the isolation of the Pacific and a legacy shaped by colonialism and deep-seated health inequity issues, as per the Governor's Office.
Targeted initiatives within the Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities could mark substantial improvements in perinatal care; they are thereby centering on strategies such as boosting perinatal behavioral health to curb maternal mortalities associated with mood disorders, anxiety, and substance abuse the Department of Health's action plan includes supporting mobile clinics to reach underinsured and uninsured individuals, alongside leveraging social media to heighten awareness on maternal health and encourage communication of pregnancy-related concerns by those who are pregnant or recently postpartum, as mentioned by the Governor's Office.
Support for such MMRCs comes as part of a broader CDC sponsorship present in 46 states and six U.S. territories and freely associated states. Further information about maternal health initiatives and the Maternal and Child Health Branch can be found by visiting the Maternal and Child Health Branch website or the Maternal Warning Signs & Symptoms webpage for healthcare provider referrals and community resources.
