The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences received a five-year, $5 million grant from HHS to improve maternal healthcare in the state, according to a Sept. 26 news release.
The grant will address inequities in maternal health by improving access to maternal care and obstetrics in rural communities.
Associate Professor Jennifer Callaghan-Koru, PhD, said the university will use the HHS funding to conduct the Perinatal Improvement of Outcomes and Safety for Everyone — or PRIMROSE — project.
"The PRIMROSE project will address critical gaps in data systems, health services availability and quality of care to improve maternal health outcomes and reduce disparities in Arkansas," Dr. Callaghan-Koru said.
Arkansas ranks as one of the worst states in America for maternal health, according to the CDC 2018 comparison of 26 states with available data. Multiple factors contribute to Arkansas' poor maternal health outcomes, including relatively high poverty rates and large rural areas with limited obstetric care.