HHS releases national strategy to improve maternal health

The Department of Health and Human Services this week announced a national strategy to address maternal mental health and substance use issues. The strategy seeks to integrate perinatal mental health and substance use care across medical, community and social systems to increase equity and access, improve federal coordination and elevate culturally relevant support and trauma-informed approaches. It includes a framework with five core pillars. Among the pillars are building a national infrastructure prioritizing perinatal mental health and well-being, with a focus on reducing disparities. Other pillars involve making care and services accessible, affordable and equitable and using research to improve outcomes and accountability. (HHS news release, 5/14/24)