January 23 is Maternal Health Awareness Day
HOUSTON – Maternal health is a critical issue that requires urgent attention in Harris County. In recognition of Maternal Health Awareness Day, Harris County Public Health (HCPH) will participate nationwide to raise awareness, promote education, and advocate for improved maternal care by hosting a virtual webinar for the Harris County community.
On Jan. 23, HCPH will hold a webinar to provide community members and organizations with an opportunity to engage in an educational discussion about the health of reproductive-age and birthing persons. The webinar will provide an opportunity to hear from an experienced OB/GYN, a practicing doula. It will also highlight the work of HCPH’s programs designed to improve maternal health outcomes. Those interested in attending can register through the following link: bit.ly/MaternalHealthDay24.
Additionally, HCPH will give a presentation in honor of Maternal Health Awareness Day at an in-person event starting at 6:30 p.m. at Hester House Auditorium, at 2020 Solo St., Houston, TX 77020. The presentation is open to everyone, but it is primarily geared toward providing a space for pregnant people, expectant parents, new parents, or those who have recently experienced pregnancy or infant loss to come together and learn about the resources available.
Maternal Health Awareness Day is an annual event dedicated to raising awareness about maternal health issues, promoting education, and advocating for improved maternal care. The goal is to foster a better understanding of maternal health, encourage positive health practices, and work toward policies that improve the well-being of pregnant individuals and birthing persons.
Maternal health refers to a wide range of issues, including prenatal care, access to healthcare facilities, postpartum support, and addressing disparities in maternal mortality rates. Many die each year in this country from problems related to pregnancy or delivery complications. Approximately 50,000 individuals giving birth in the U.S. face life-threatening pregnancy complications. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 80% of pregnancy-related deaths could be prevented.
HCPH provides programs to improve maternal health. Their initiatives include:
- Maternal and Child Health Program (MCHP): The MCHP plays a crucial role in reducing risks for birthing individuals and infants through its comprehensive offerings:
-
- Personalized Home Visiting Support: Up to three years of assistance ensuring healthy births and family growth.
- Personal and Emotional Support: Tailored assistance recognizing emotional well-being, guiding through motherhood, and fostering a healthy bond.
- Resources and Education Assistance: Help find prenatal/postpartum care, counseling, job support, and more for babies and young children.
- Access to Services: Linking families to ACCESS Harris County for various support services.
- Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program: WIC, a public health nutrition program managed by the Texas Department of State Health Services, supports pregnant and breastfeeding individuals and those who have recently given birth, along with infants and children under the age of five.
- ACCESS Harris County: Accessing Coordinated Care and Empowering Self Sufficiency (ACCESS) Harris County is an integrated care-coordination model that works to improve outcomes for vulnerable individuals through a Care Coordination Team. The team focuses on supporting clients holistically by addressing multiple needs to achieve well-being and self-sufficiency. ACCESS works with community members experiencing hardships, including health challenges (physical and/or mental), financial and housing needs, substance abuse, and social inequity, by providing intensive, wraparound support across Harris County’s safety net system.
- Maternal Mental Health Program (MMHP): The MMHP is an initiative of HCPH’s Behavioral Health Program, which offers comprehensive mental health services to birthing and non-birthing household members during and after the pregnancy period. The program addresses both emotional/mental well-being as well as non-medical factors affecting the participant’s total health.
Join us in advocating for improved maternal health and raising awareness on January 23, 2023. For more information about the MCHP, visit the HCPH’s Maternal & Child Health Program webpage or call (713) 368-MOMS (6667). For more information on WIC, visit the Women, Infants, and Children webpage or call (713) 407-5800. For more information on ACCESS Harris County, visit the ACCESS Harris County webpage. For more information about the MMHP, call (832) 792-1567.