Healthfirst and Mount Sinai Health System improve postpartum care for high-risk mothers

The Challenge

Failure to access appropriate follow-up care after delivering a child can put a mother’s long-term health at risk. In New York State, the rate of severe postpartum complications for Black women was 2.4 times higher than for white women, and 1.7 times higher for Hispanic women. (Source)

Our Goal

To improve postpartum care for low-income, high-risk mothers and reduce health disparities.

The Healthfirst Solution

We enrolled new mothers with at least one risk factor for postpartum complications in a study during their labor and delivery hospital stay. They received written educational resources (in English and Spanish), connections to community resources, and ongoing outreach after delivery, as well as transportation reimbursement (if necessary) for postpartum care appointments.

Population Health Improvements

• 11% higher rate of postpartum visits, compared to control group
• 7% higher rate of postpartum outpatient / gynecologic care, up to 90 days after delivery
• 6% higher rate of enrollment in Medicaid six months after delivery

Takeaway

The ADVANCE Health Equity initiative now serves as a statewide model for reducing postpartum care disparities. We have demonstrated that simple, point-of-care interventions during labor and delivery can have a meaningful impact for underserved populations.