Transforming maternal health in Northern Nevada
Equitable access to maternal care is essential for improving maternal and infant health outcomes, and for reducing health disparities. Early and consistent prenatal care contributes to better health outcomes for parents and babies.1 However, due to a lack of access to needed care, pregnant people in Nevada experience high vulnerability to adverse outcomes.2
To address the need for broader and more equitable access to maternal health care, UnitedHealthcare Health Plan of Nevada Medicaid has provided over $700,000 to Northern Nevada HOPES to launch a new maternal care program. HOPES is a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) located in Washoe County. As an FQHC, HOPES is uniquely positioned as a safety net, reducing barriers to health care for underserved populations. HOPES has provided health care to underserved populations in Northern Nevada for over 25 years. The organization’s mission is rooted in equity, with specializations in addressing complex health conditions like substance use disorder and HIV. HOPES support social drivers of health through programs like bridge housing, led by Sharon Chamberlain, whose unique perspective is shaped by her lived experience with homelessness. In 2023, 10% of HOPES’ patients were people experiencing homelessness.3
The funding will establish a new maternal care program, with the goal of improving access to care, supporting early intervention of preventable diseases, and ultimately changing the trajectory of maternal health outcomes in the community. Washoe County has an above state-average rate of severe maternal morbidity, experiencing a 12.7% increase in severe maternal morbidity between 2021 and 2022. Statewide, people of color experience disproportionately higher rates of severe maternal morbidity compared to white residents.
The new maternal care program will focus on providing comprehensive maternal care to prevent maternal deaths, improve health equity, and navigate health conditions like substance use disorder, depression, gestational diabetes and pre-term labor that can contribute to maternal and infant morbidity. Areas of focus include:
- Enabling patients to access programs that support whole-person health, including behavioral health, pediatrics, postpartum support, and support for social drivers of health.
- Implementing an evidence-based prenatal group class model, which combines individual medical appointments with group classes to empower expecting parents and foster support networks.
- Expanding an integrated care team of obstetricians, primary care providers, peer support specialists and nutritionists to include a pediatrician, nurses, care coordinators, and a community health worker. This will ensure access to comprehensive, integrated care in one location.
- Reaching out, in collaboration with community partners, to patients who have high-risk complications such as HIV and may benefit from timely prenatal care and wraparound support.
These initiatives will address immediate needs and empower parents with self-care and health care knowledge to support long-term health, creating a positive ripple effect on families and the extended community. By providing a holistic approach to maternal care, the program aims to create a model that can be replicated in other communities. HOPES will track health measures including preterm delivery rates, infant birth weights, and other indicators of maternal and infant health.
This collaboration highlights the power of community-led, grassroots solutions to meet local needs, and underscores a shared commitment to supporting whole-person health. With a focus on early access to prenatal care, comprehensive support, and addressing the social drivers of health, this new program represents a significant step in reducing maternal and infant mortality and improving health equity for families in Northern Nevada.