Written by Kim Furlow and staff of the Center for Advancing Health Services, Policy & Economics Research
The Center for Advancing Health Services, Policy and Economics Research has published a new policy paper outlining recommendations to help lower Missouri’s high maternal mortality rate.
Written by lead author, Luna Jiang-Qin, the Cora Faith Walker Scholar at the 2024 Institute for Public Health Summer Research Program and co-authored by the center’s Associate Director for Policy Partnerships, Abigail Barker, PhD, and Alison Williams of the Missouri Hospital Association, the policy paper offers vital information about Missouri’s current maternal mortality rates. It breaks down the ways in which regional perinatal care networks can improve maternal and infant death outcomes.
The paper titled, “Regional Networks of Perinatal Care: A Strategy for Missouri to Improve Maternal and Infant Health” notes that the United States has the highest rate of maternal mortality among high-income countries. At 24 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births, Missouri’s maternal mortality rate was just above the national average from 2018 to 2022.
The paper outlines how these provider networks can connect patients to risk-appropriate care and resources, all in an effort to reduce maternal and infant mortality rates.