Meeting moms where they are: working together to address maternal care inequities

As the number of in-person activities continue to rise, there are still many areas where remote or virtual engagement will continue to be a part of everyday life. This includes healthcare services - especially now that throughout the pandemic we've seen the potential of virtual care firsthand.

However, increased virtual care is not only a matter of convenience, but a game-changing shift for those that previously may not have had easy access to necessary, life-saving care. One area of care that is particularly poised to benefit from this evolution is obstetrics and maternal health. The U.S. spends USD 111 billion annually on maternal and newborn care, yet has the worst maternal health outcomes among developed countries [1].

A number of factors can lead to a high risk pregnancy, including maternal age, pregnancy history, presence of multiples, lifestyle factors, and underlying health conditions [2] - yet, there are currently not enough OB-GYNs in the U.S. to meet patient needs. In fact, over 10 million women live in counties lacking OB-GYN care, and nearly half of U.S. counties lack a single OB-GYN [3]. This shortage and lack of access hits rural women hardest, with over half living more than 30 minutes from a hospital with perinatal services [3]. Technology advancements represent an opportunity to transform care for those who need it most - a domino effect driven by increased access to care, communities and life-saving insights.