Maternal health

Joining me now to talk more about the report and key findings is Tamara Mason.

She serves as the director of March of Dimes Maternal and Child Health Collective Impact.

Tamara, welcome.

Appreciate that.

And so for young people to start to have that conversation because they have information and I want them to have information, but like to not have hope, that makes me sad.

So I want us to also end these conversations with hope and joy.

Tamara Mason, the director of March of Dimes, Maternal and Child Health Collective Impact.

Thank you so much for taking the time.

Her research applies the tools of health policy and health services research to rural population health with particular focus on maternal and child health and the conditions under which rural communities can sustain access to high quality care.

Her work has shaped state and federal policy from the Minnesota Doula Act bill to the federal Improving Access to Maternity Care Act, and she received the Heinz Award in Public Policy for her contributions to rural maternal health.

Dr. Kazimano, welcome to JAMA Health Forum Conversations.

Thank you so much.

And therefore, there's sometimes a mismatch between what we know and what rural communities might need and benefit from and what rural communities might offer.

So let's build a little bit on the evidence base.

A lot of your work has been around maternal health, and you've argued that maternal outcomes are a sensitive indicator of how our health system is functioning more broadly.

Now, we know that rural residents have higher rates of severe maternal morbidity and mortality than urban residents.

Gauteng has recorded the highest uptake, with more than twenty-six thousand initiations.

We're joined now by Dr. Nolwandle Ndlovu, the DG for HIV, AIDS, TB, Maternal, and Child Health at the Department of Health, to unpack the rollout, demand, and safety of this new HIV prevention option.

A very good morning to you, Doctor, and welcome.

Uh, good morning to you, uh, and to the listeners here.

Thank you.

I thank you so much.

That was Dr. Nolwandle Ndlovu, the DDG for HIV/AIDS, TB, Maternal, and Child Health at the Department of Health, unpacking the rollout, demand, and safety of this new HIV prevention option.

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