HHS and Surgeon General Announce New Initiatives to Improve Maternal Health

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released a new Action Plan to improve maternal health outcomes and reduce disparities that put Black, American Indian and Alaska Native women at increased risk of experiencing fatal complications in pregnancy, childbirth, and during the postpartum period. The plan outlines targets to reduce the maternal mortality rate by 50%, reduce the low-risk cesarean delivery rate by 25%, and address blood pressure control in 80% of hypertensive women of reproductive age.  The U.S. Surgeon General issued a complementary Call to Action to Improve Maternal Health, outlining strategies and action items to address maternal health disparities.