Research Highlights Improved Maternal and Infant Outcomes Through MedStar Health Program

A recent study has revealed that participants in MedStar Health's Safe Babies Safe Moms (SBSM) initiative experience significantly better health outcomes during pregnancy, delivery, and the postpartum period. The findings, published in NEJM Catalyst, indicate that Black mothers enrolled in the program are less likely to give birth to low or very low birthweight infants and experience preterm deliveries compared to similar patients who receive care elsewhere.

The study quantified the advantages of the SBSM program, showing that those under its care were:

• 1.16 times less likely to have low birthweight infants
• 1.40 times less likely to deliver very low birthweight babies
• 1.15 times less likely to experience preterm births

Maternal and infant mortality rates in the U.S. remain alarmingly high compared to other developed nations, with notable racial and geographical disparities. Black pregnant individuals face a heightened risk of adverse health outcomes relative to their white counterparts, even when controlling for socioeconomic factors like education and employment.

Angela D. Thomas, DrPH, who leads the SBSM initiative, emphasizes the program's focus on addressing the root causes of health disparities, particularly systemic and structural racism within healthcare.

The SBSM program, launched in April 2020, is a collaborative effort between MedStar Health and community organizations, including Community of Hope and Mamatoto Village. It provides a comprehensive care model that supports birthing individuals and their babies from pre-conception through the first three years of life, integrating research and community insights to improve maternal and infant health outcomes.

Key achievements from the SBSM initiative include:

• Preventing over 58 preterm births in 2022, with 40 occurring among Medicaid patients and 18 among those with private insurance.
• Saving an estimated $5.16 million in medical costs associated with preterm births, equating to about $89,000 for each prevented preterm delivery.
• Nearly all patients identified as at-risk received referrals to supportive services, including counseling for tobacco cessation (97%), breastfeeding education (96%), and mental health care for those screening positively for anxiety and depression (100%).

The program employs a newly developed framework that emphasizes feasibility, sustainability, and equity, offering over 70 interventions spread across six categories:

• Trauma-informed obstetric and midwifery care
• Management and prevention of high-risk conditions in pregnancy and early childhood
• Interprofessional coordination among women's services, pediatrics, family medicine, behavioral health, and community health centers
• Universal screening for behavioral health and social determinants of health
• Integrated support services addressing housing, food security, transportation, and lactation counseling
• Innovations in health systems and IT to enhance transitions between clinical and community care

Kelly Sweeney McShane, CEO of Community of Hope, highlighted the transformative impact of the SBSM initiative, underscoring its role in delivering equitable and comprehensive care to underserved communities.

The MedStar Health Research Institute continues to evaluate the program's effectiveness and identify further opportunities for enhancing maternal and infant care. Collaborative efforts with experts from Georgetown University aim to explore innovative payment models and healthcare policies that could benefit similar initiatives nationwide.

Looking ahead, MedStar Health plans to expand the SBSM program to its maternity care facilities and serve as a national model for other health systems aiming to address maternal and infant health disparities.