On February 25, 2021 March of Dimes, together with their partner RB’s Enfa portfolio of brands, launched Better Starts for All, a multi-year initiative to address pressing maternal health disparities by providing access to a variety of prenatal care interventions to maternity care deserts.
Better Starts for All aims to give all moms and babies the opportunity to thrive by tackling some of the most complex issues facing our society today, from access to prenatal and postpartum care, to premature birth and maternal mortality.
Over the next three years, they aim to develop sustainable programs that improve the lives of pregnant women across the country by increasing access to quality healthcare for pregnant women and new moms and decreasing preterm birth.
Better Starts for All is increasing access to care in maternity care deserts through mobile health services, Supportive Pregnancy Care, provider coalitions and virtual education.
Pregnancy related deaths have more than doubled in the U.S. over the past 25 years. Two women will die from pregnancy-related causes today and every day. Two babies die every hour in the U.S.
The program will be piloted in two areas – Southeast Ohio and Wards 7 and 8 in Washington, DC – offering moms and moms-to-be services including Becoming A Mom, Supportive Pregnancy Care, and Mobile Health Centers while working with partners in those areas to build Community Coalitions.