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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Sept. 5 alerted clinicians to a recent increase in respiratory syncytial virus in the Southeastern U.S., which could signal the beginning of 2023-2024 RSV season nationally.

Millions of women across the United States have no access to maternal health care, particularly in rural areas that lack obstetric services.

This new AHA resource highlights ways health care organizations can foster equitable practices in maternal care, individually and systemically.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services sent to each state letters regarding compliance with federal requirements related to automatic eligibility renewals, known as “ex parte” renewals, under Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program.

At the federal level, several legislative initiatives specific to maternal mortality have been enacted. Several other initiatives have been introduced in Congress the last year.

The Food and Drug Administration announced its approval of Pfizer’s Abrysvo (Respiratory Syncytial Virus Vaccine), the first vaccine approved for use in pregnant individuals to prevent lower respiratory tract disease and severe LRTD caused by respiratory syncytial virus in infants from birth through six months of age.

A new report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says 20% of women reported experiences of mistreatment during pregnancy and delivery care, with CDC saying the highest rates reported by Black, Hispanic and multiracial women.

Perinatal mood and anxiety disorders are the single largest complication of pregnancy and childbirth.

The centers will develop and evaluate innovative approaches to reduce pregnancy-related complications and deaths and promote maternal health equity.

Receiving a COVID-19 mRNA vaccine or booster during pregnancy can benefit pregnant people and their newborn infants, according to findings from a federally funded study published in Vaccine.

To help mothers in need of food following childbirth, SSM Health St. Mary's Hospital in Madison, Wisc., is providing baskets of groceries to those who need it as part of a new program.

A new depression and anxiety clinic has been opened by Children's Mercy Kansas City as the first of 14 mental health projects the hospital is launching during the next five years

U.S. hospital emergency departments have improved many aspects of pediatric readiness since 2013, based on responses by over 3,600 EDs to a 2021 assessment by the National Pediatric Readiness Project, JAMA Network Open reports

The Food and Drug Administration approved the first pill to treat postpartum depression in adults, whose symptoms can range from sadness and loss of energy to cognitive impairment and suicidal ideation. Patients would take the drug (Zurzuvae) for 14 days.

Paramedics in a mobile medical unit from Henry Ford Health are visiting new mothers at home to check their vitals as part of an initiative to help reduce pregnancy-related deaths across Michigan.

Over 5.6 million women in the US live in maternity care deserts. Read the latest analysis on access to obstetric care through hospitals and providers from the March of Dimes on AHA News.

Suicide accounts for one in five postpartum deaths; one in five women experience a perinatal mental health condition; and over half of pregnant women with depression do not receive treatment, according to a new AHA infographic highlighting the grim statistics surrounding maternal mental health, five ways to improve maternal mental health outcomes and recommended resources for providers.

The AHA yesterday joined 85 national organizations in urging Congress to swiftly pass the Preventing Maternal Deaths Reauthorization Act (H.R.3838/S.2415), bipartisan legislation that would reauthorize federal support for state-based maternal mortality review committees, which review pregnancy-related deaths to identify causes and make recommendations to prevent future mortalities.

We, the undersigned 85 national organizations committed to improving the health and well-being of our nation’s families, write to express our strong support for the bipartisan Preventing Maternal Deaths Reauthorization Act of 2023 (H.R.3838/S.2415).

In this webinar, health care leaders dive into the latest education advancements and adult learning science for ensuring a thriving and engaged clinical team that delivers high-quality OB care and improves maternal outcomes. These leaders discuss interdisciplinary nurse models for improved teamwork, efficient onboarding of new nurses, and effective strategies to meet competency and learning styles for staff on hand. (Webinar presented August 16, 2023)