The Institute for Public Health Innovation, the Virginia Department of Health, and the Cumberland Plateau Health District have launched a new initiative to improve maternal and child health (MCH) outcomes in Cumberland Plateau.
The Cumberland Plateau Perinatal Health Network will be established with a planning grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). The project will cover Tazewell, Russell, Buchanan and Dickenson counties to build a network of stakeholders invested in improving the region’s maternal and child health outcomes.
A combination of healthcare shortages, social factors like limited economic opportunities, inadequate housing and transportation, and a region hard hit by the opioid epidemic have led to challenging perinatal health outcomes throughout the region. With an alarming rise in maternal mortality nationwide, Cumberland Plateau is facing the same disparities.
The Network formally launches in August 2024 and seeks community members, including healthcare and public health organizations, community-based organizations and community leaders. They will work collaboratively to develop a blueprint for improving healthcare coordination.
Three of the four counties in the Cumberland Plateau Health District are Maternity Care Deserts, and all counties in the district face higher rates of infant mortality and neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS).
“Through our dedicated work, we have determined that a stronger network is needed to address the health and well-being of moms and babies to receive optimal care,” Reisa Sloce, District Director of the Lenowisco and Cumberland Plateau Health Districts, said.
The Cumberland Plateau Perinatal Health Network seeks to change outcomes.
“Through valuable partnerships and community support, we look forward to seeing positive outcomes throughout our region,” Sloce said.
IPHI Senior Vice President Dr. Mike Royster said mothers and babies in the health district “deserve a strong network of providers to ensure optimal health services and outcomes. These efforts will positively impact their well-being. Through this valuable collaboration, we look forward to achieving substantial goals to make a difference among perinatal providers and community members in the Cumberland Plateau.”
While the initial award from HRSA is only a one-year grant, the Network plans to pursue additional longer-term funding options from HRSA to sustain. Network members with firsthand experiences as providers or patients are encouraged to join.
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Rebecca Barnabi
