Representing a material leap forward in health equity funding, today’s news that the CVS Health Foundation will award $6.6 million to enhance maternal health by focusing on historically marginalized communities was very welcomed by local and global health equity advocates. The grants will be directed towards Massachusetts General Hospital, the American Heart Association, and the March of Dimes.
These organizations will work to address the conditions associated with maternal mortality and morbidity that disproportionately impact historically marginalized and underrepresented populations. The funds will support initiatives such as expanding the doula workforce, providing maternal health services through mobile vans, and delivering educational resources. Notably, Black women face a maternal mortality rate 2.6 times higher than white women, and the grants aim to mitigate these disparities.
Additionally, the American Heart Association will use a portion of the funding to address hypertension, a significant risk factor for maternal health issues. This initiative involves hypertension education, monitoring, and treatment during pregnancy and postpartum.
Historical trends underscore a growing commitment to diminishing discrepancies in maternal and birth results, acknowledging that these imbalances are shaped by wider systemic and societal obstacles. These encompass disparities in race, fundamental chronic ailments, and prejudices ingrained within the healthcare system.
