Maternal Health Awareness Day: Safer Pregnancy Initiative Guide
Key Facts:
- Over 80% of U.S. pregnancy-related deaths are preventable (CDC, 2022).
- Cardiovascular conditions and hemorrhage are the top clinical drivers.
- Severe maternal morbidity adds an estimated $32 k to each affected delivery (HRSA analysis).
- Black women are 2.6 times more likely than White women to die from pregnancy complications.
Editor's Note
This article is part of the BHM Healthcare Awareness Series, designed to provide quick, ready-to-use content and links to official resources for internal staff communications, patient education, and social media.
Feel free to copy, adapt, and share.
Observation Date
January 23
History & Impact
Maternal Health Awareness Day (MHAD) was launched in 2017 by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) to spotlight rising U.S. maternal mortality and morbidity. Each January 23, partners such as the CDC, Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health (AIM), and state perinatal quality collaboratives host webinars, safety-bundle trainings, and social-media events under the hashtag #MHAD to promote evidence-based, equitable care before, during, and after pregnancy.
Why it Matters
- U.S. maternal deaths more than doubled from 2000 to 2021, reaching 32.9 per 100,000 live births.
- Black, AI/AN, and rural patients face the highest risk, underscoring the need for system-level change.
- Addressing these gaps protects families, reduces costs linked to emergency care, and supports health-equity goals.
Quick Actions for Your Organization
For Leadership
Adopt AIM Safety Bundles (e.g., Hemorrhage, Hypertension) across all birthing facilities.
Integrate maternal-early-warning criteria into enterprise quality dashboards and value-based contracts.
Fund implicit-bias and respectful-care training to advance DEI targets.
For Implementation Teams
Host a January 23 “Safer Pregnancy” grand-rounds featuring local perinatal experts.
Distribute CDC “Hear Her” posters and QR codes in clinics, waiting rooms, and patient portals.
Launch a social-media countdown (Jan 16-23) with daily tips on warning signs and care plans.
Resources
Ready-to-Use Assets
The following links provide resources & information for creating internal or external campaigns to support or promote this healthcare observance. Please vet these resources for alignment with your organization.
Talking Points
Copy & Paste Friendly
“January 23 is Maternal Health Awareness Day—share warning signs and support safer pregnancies for every family. #MHAD”
“Leaders: Implement AIM Safety Bundles to cut preventable maternal deaths and boost quality scores.”
“Patients know their bodies—listen when they say something doesn’t feel right. Learn more at CDC’s Hear Her.”
Disclaimer: Please verify all information, usage rights, and related guidelines with the official observance organizers and your organization’s policies to ensure proper alignment.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1. How do we measure success of a Maternal Health Awareness Day campaign?
Track hemorrhage cart readiness, hypertension response times, and severe-morbidity rates; report results quarterly to the quality committee.
Q2. How can we run a Maternal Health Awareness Day campaign across multiple worksites without a large budget?
Start with a unifying theme (e.g., “Safer Pregnancy for All”) and a shared toolkit folder. Use free ACOG and CDC graphics for posters, screensavers, and Teams/Slack banners. Kick off Jan 16 with a 15-minute virtual huddle led by an OB champion; stream it to remote teams and record for replay. Provide each site a three-step checklist: 1) display assets in high-traffic areas, 2) share one daily social post or intranet story through Jan 23, 3) host a brief lunch-and-learn using the AIM hemorrhage or hypertension video. Close the week with a short survey to capture reach and lessons learned for next year.
Q3. What’s the fastest way to launch a Maternal Health Awareness Day campaign on short notice?
Leverage ACOG’s turnkey social graphics and CDC printable materials; pair with a brief staff huddle on top warning signs.
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