The aim of this study is to identify institutional and community factors that may contribute to the sustainability of CHW programs to improve maternal health outcomes. Methods: We conducted focus groups and in-depth interviews with 54 CHWs, CHW program staff, and community partners involved in implementing three Merck for Mothers-funded CHW programs in the United States serving reproductive-age women with chronic health conditions. Additionally, a review of documents submitted by CHW programs during the evaluation process provided context for our findings. Data were analyzed using an inductive qualitative approach. Results: Three themes emerged in our analysis of factors that may influence the sustainability of CHW programs to improve maternal health.

In an effort to amplify the magnitude of the epidemic of maternal mortality in the United States that disproportionately plagues Black women, on June 13, 2020, the Association of Black Cardiologists hosted the Black Maternal Heart Health Roundtable-a collaborative task force to tackle the maternal health crisis in the Black community. The roundtable brought together diverse stakeholders and champions of maternal health equity to discuss how innovative ideas, solutions and opportunities could be implemented, while exploring additional ways attendees could address maternal health concerns within the health care system. This position paper will generate further research in disparities of care and promote the interest of others to pursue strategies to mitigate maternal mortality.

This article takes an in-depth look at the disparate impact of the COVID19 pandemic on Black children and families and offers recommendations to mitigate the effects and improve the potential for health and life outcomes of Black children and families.

This 2019 article shares the shameful secret that: Although the number of women who die in childbirth globally has fallen in recent decades, the rates in the U.S. have gone up. Since 1987 maternal mortality has doubled in the U.S. It outlines changes needed to keep black people alive who give birth.

This is a W.K. Kellogg Foundation report that has a national perspective and four state perspectives, including Michigan. This resource includes reports for Michigan, Mississippi, New Mexico and New Orleans, along with powerful info graphics for these areas. It was printed in 2018.

This is a new article that resulted from a March of Dimes Work Group on the Black-White disparity in preterm birth.

This article highlights the positive impact of giving poor mothers in America with new babies just over $300 per month. The study runs four years, and has produced increased brain activity in many of the babies involved at one year of age. The study offers public policy implications for consideration.

CDC Publication on the CDC website. This article from CDC offers terms that should be used for select populations and communities based on inclusive communication principles. It is a part of the Gateway to Health Communication series.

Mortality rates for Black babies is cut dramatically when Black doctors care for them after birth. This Washington Post article summarizes research done by Rachel Hardeman and is written by Tonya Russell. It makes a case for the need of more efforts to attract and educate African American doctors in America. As well as conducting more research to understand the why black infants cared for by black physicians seem to have better health outcomes.

Blog by john a. powell printed June 2, 2020, on the optimism and identification of opportunity for change that must exist in order to change the current US systems that support actions of anti-Black racism.

This publication describes steps to building an equity culture. This 34 page pamphlet gives detailed examples for organizational change to build a race equity culture, by understanding the role of levers for change. References are included in the document.

This on-line resource guide was published by the National Institute for Children’s Health Quality (NICHQ) in 2019. It is a tool for recognizing and addressing implicit bias. It offers steps that can be taken to minimize bias; has a Q & A with health experts; and offers stories of how bias has affected individuals. bias has affected individuals.

This publication describes steps to building an equity culture. This 34 page pamphlet gives detailed examples for organizational change to build a race equity culture, by understanding the role of levers for change. References are included in the document.