Work

Community-Rooted Innovation: Transforming Maternal Health Through the Safer Childbirth Cities Initiative

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: The maternal health crisis in the United States continues to affect some communities more severely than others, often due to historic and systemic barriers to care. Addressing these challenges requirehs solutions that are built with, and trusted by, the communities they serve. This supplement highlights the Safer Childbirth Cities initiative, a multi-year investment by Merck for Mothers and philanthropic partners that supported twenty community-based organizations across the country. These organizations implemented a wide range of approaches-including community-based doula care, storytelling initiatives, health information exchange systems, and new ways of defining and measuring evidence-to improve maternal health outcomes in their cities. By elevating local leadership, building trust through collaboration, and tailoring care to reflect the knowledge and needs of patients, the efforts featured here provide valuable lessons on how maternal health systems can be reshaped to deliver high quality, accessible, and culturally responsive care.

Source: Maternal and Child Health Journal

DOI: 10.1007/s10995-025-04190-8

Authors: Giannina Ong, Lisa Asare

Institution: Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs

Language: English

Topic: Maternal and Neonatal Healthcare

Subfield: General Health Professions

Field: Health Professions

Domain: Health Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Reduced inequalities, Sustainable cities and communities

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,590