Maternal and Child Health

Arkansas has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the United States – a country that already lags in maternal health outcomes. These challenges are compounded by Arkansas’s rural landscape and maternal health deserts, leaving most of the state with limited or no access to maternity care. The gaps in access to essential resources and quality care before, during, and after pregnancy place mothers and babies at an increased risk for poor health outcomes.

Through community-based research and strong partnerships, we are developing practical solutions that improve maternal and child health in Arkansas. By bringing support and care directly to communities and expanding access across the state, we are creating solutions that drive meaningful change for families.

We are bringing innovative maternal care solutions directly to communities to increase access to care throughout the state through initiatives like the following:

• Pregnancy & Parenting Support: We provide high-quality individual and group support for pregnant women and families across the state. From one-on-one case management to healthcare connections and education, we engage with women and families to promote earlier care and improve health outcomes. 
• Doula Expansion: Increasing access to doula support helps improve maternal health outcomes and promotes healthier pregnancies and births. In partnership with organizations such as Ujima Maternity Network, we are strengthening and expanding the doula workforce in Arkansas through comprehensive training and mentorship.
• Community Health Workers Expansion: Community health workers provide pregnant women and families with education, resources, and personalized support through home visits, hospital settings, and community-based services. We also partner with clinical sites to train community health workers in patient advocacy, strengthening support for improved pediatric and perinatal health outcomes.
• Food Is Medicine: Healthy pregnancies need healthy food. Through a Food Is Medicine approach, we are addressing food insecurity and supporting healthy nutrition by delivering medically tailored groceries and nutritional counseling for pregnant women in Arkansas.
• Innovative Research: Through telehealth and remote patient monitoring, we are removing barriers and closing the gaps in postpartum care. The weeks following birth are a critical period, as a woman’s body when a woman’s body recovers from pregnancy and birth, new or serious health issues may emerge. By staying connected to care teams through continuous monitoring and virtual support, these digital health tools help ensure timely care, improve follow-up, and support better health outcomes for mothers.