Improving Maternal Health Through Innovation and Advocacy

Globally, maternal deaths during pregnancy and postpartum are a public health crisis. In the United States, approximately 1,200 women die each year during childbirth and postpartum periods due to pregnancy related complications. Global, National, and State surveillance reports have deemed that 80% of these deaths are preventable. The U.S. maternal morbidity and mortality rates are the highest among industrialized nations worldwide. The current data suggests that this trend is worsening despite significant advancements in healthcare practices and technologies. The prevalence of near deaths far exceeds the maternal deaths and pose significant morbidity for women and infants. Access to care, implicit bias, and systemic racism are the leading causes of maternal health disparities. In addition, the maternity provider workforce supply is on average 5 to 6 times less in comparison to other developed countries who have low maternal mortality rates. This presentation will explore the history of maternal health disparities, causes of maternal deaths, and proposed solutions to address the maternal health crisis in the United States.

*Due to rapidly changing clinical knowledge, once purchased, you have 90 days access to complete this education.

Credits: 1.50 Contact Hours; 0.50 are Pharmacology
This activity is designated for 1.50 AAPA Category 1 CME credits. Approval is valid from 2/11/2025 to 2/10/2026. PAs should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation
Expiration Date: February 10, 2026

$35

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

After taking part in this educational activity, participants should be better able to:

-Discuss the history of maternal health in the United States and the generational impact of health disparities in women’s health.
-Describe the socio-political factors that have contributed to the maternal health crisis in the United States.
-Formulate practical solutions to reducing maternal morbidity and mortality rates at the local, state, and national levels.
-Explain current research and innovative models of care that support diagnoses and evidence-based treatment guidelines.

CE/CME INFORMATION

Obtain Your Credits

To earn credits for this activity, navigate to the Content(s) tab and complete all course components in the following order: 1) watch the course presentation video; 2) complete the course evaluation; 3) pass the post-test with a score of 2/3 (66.7%) or higher. You may retake the post-test until a passing score is achieved, at which point you will be able to view/print a copy of your certificate of completion. This online certificate will also be saved within your profile 'My Courses/Certificates' -> 'Transcript/Certificates Earned'  for future access.

Designation Statement

NPACE designates this educational activity for a maximum of 1.50 contact hours, of which 0.50 is pharmacology credit. Participants should claim only credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

This activity is designated for 1.50 AAPA Category 1 CME credits. Approval is valid from 2/11/2025 to 2/10/2026 . 

Accreditation Statement

Nurse Practitioner Associates for Continuing Education is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.

In addition to ANCC, NPACE is approved as a provider of continuing education in nursing by: the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider Number CEP8720

This activity has been reviewed by the American Academy of Physician Associates Review Panel and is compliant with AAPA CME Criteria. This activity is designated for 1.50 AAPA Category 1 CME credits. Approval is valid from 2/11/2025 to 2/10/2026. PAs should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation.

DISCLOSURES

Faculty

Contributing faculty, Kamila Barnes, DNP, FNP-C, FADLN, FNYAM has disclosed no financial relationships.

Planners

All planners and contributors involved in this educational activity have disclosed no relevant financial relationships. 

Disclaimer

The material presented in this continuing education program is being made available for educational purposes only and is not intended to represent the best or only methods, medications and/or guidelines appropriate for the medical situation discussed. Rather the material is intended to present an approach, view, statement, or opinion of the presenter(s), which may be helpful, or of interest to other practitioners and should not be used by clinicians without the evaluation of their patient’s conditions and possible contraindications on dangers in use, review of any applicable manufacturer’s product information, and comparison with recommendations of other authorities. NPACE disclaims any liability, loss, injury, or damage incurred as a consequence, directly or indirectly, of the use and application of any information given in a presentation.

Disclosure of Unlabeled Use

This educational activity may mention the uses of products that are not approved by the FDA for the indication(s) being discussed. The presenter(s) are instructed to notify participants when they are discussing unapproved uses or investigational agents. The opinions related to unapproved uses of products are solely those of the presenter(s) and are not endorsed or recommended by NPACE. Please refer to the official prescribing information for each product for discussion of approved indications, contraindications, and warnings.

Commercial Support

There is no commercial support for this activity.