Women’s Health Awareness in Arkansas
May was Women’s Health Awareness Month—a designated time to reflect on the state of women’s well-being across the nation. In reality, as a driver of overall social and economic well-being, women’s health deserves year-round attention.
At the Institute for Integrative and Innovative Research (I³R) at the University of Arkansas, we are committed to addressing pressing health challenges facing our state. One of the most urgent of these “wicked problems” is related to maternal health.
Arkansas has one of the highest maternal and infant mortality rates in the nation with high preterm births and low birth weights. Nearly half of Arkansas counties are maternal care deserts (March of Dimes), lacking quality birthing hospitals. This makes the availability of quality perinatal care difficult. In addition, adverse socio-economic, and health conditions for many Arkansas women, together with insufficient availability of health care professionals create undesirable maternal health outcomes. These statistics are more than numbers—they signify lives lost, and families forever changed. It leads to long-term maternal and infant health issues, affects the economy through higher health care costs, lost productivity, and the need for more social service resources. But there is hope—we can change the situation. According to the Arkansas Center for Health Improvement, an estimated 92% of maternal deaths are preventable. A multi-pronged, multisectoral, comprehensive approach is required for a better outcome.
I³R is uniquely equipped to convene partners to take on this challenge with faculty and researchers experienced in managing partnerships amongst academic, industry, clinical, and community groups. Examples of successful convergence projects are the ongoing National Science Foundation funded Cultivate IQ, Food & Security project and the Department of Defense and National Institutes of Health funded clinical trial of an investigational neurodevice to restore touch to those with limb loss that includes the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and a global medical device company as partners. These partnerships are leading to real-world impact in the lives of people touched by the innovations we advance. As such, we are applying that same model to maternal health in Arkansas.
We will focus on improving maternal health outcomes in Arkansas by addressing two broad factors that contribute to poor maternal health and high rates of severe obstetric complications (SOC): Late and sparse engagement of expectant and post-partum mothers with the healthcare system and untreated, or poorly treated, health conditions that increase the likelihood of developing SOCs. Our holistic, multi-pronged, multi-institutional coordinated approach for Arkansas is designed to address the drivers of poor and inequitable maternal health within the context of the social determinants of health (SDoH)— limited access to healthcare and workforce shortages (especially in rural regions where hospitals have closed or reduced services, including maternal care deserts), poverty and socioeconomic challenges, and chronic health conditions and mental health challenges.
The change drivers underlying this approach include training and offering support by midwives, Community Health Workers, and doulas for women in underserved areas; equipping and deploying next-generation mobile units with advanced technology to empower the integrative care team; using a digital enabled platform to provide women with access to healthy food and coaching to support healthy eating and exercise habits; providing AI-driven personalized predictive care that will deliver broad support to mothers and integration with healthcare information systems; enhancing the reach of comprehensive mental health support services to areas of the state that are currently underserved; utilizing innovative optical technology that enhances early detection of preterm labor; and last but not least, introducing maternal health teaming and quality improvement practices at birthing hospitals across the state. To coordinate and effectively deliver this portfolio of interventions, we have established and will continue to grow a network of community-based organizations that have trusted relationships with the communities of greatest need.
This work aligns with I³R’s dual mandate: to further research excellence at the University of Arkansas and drive economic development throughout the Natural State. In Arkansas, we are facing workforce shortages and limited maternal care access, so we are meeting the issue by leveraging our technology, policy and medical expertise, and community engagement resources to be part of the solution in closing the gap.
Our team includes UA and I3R faculty with expertise in policy, medical sociology, robotics, extended reality and telepresence and wearable physiology monitors as well as a growing list of health care stakeholders including Community Clinic, Mercy Hospital, Northwest Health, Heartland Whole Health Institute, the Alice Walton School of Medicine and UAMS. Together, we are in close conversation to build a strong foundation for lasting change in mothers and babies’ lives.
Our focus on maternal health is in direct response to the leaders across the state who are calling on researchers and organizations to contribute. For example, Governor Sarah Sanders who championed the Healthy Moms Healthy Babies Act, a legislative step that echoes I³R’s core values: innovation, collaboration, and compassion. We are proud to be part of a movement that supports Arkansas mothers—not just at birth, but throughout their journey.
As we reflect on the recently concluded Women’s Health Awareness Month, I want to emphasize that I³R is not only prepared to meet this challenge—our efforts are underway. Our mission is rooted in the belief that every woman deserves the opportunity to raise the next generation of Arkansans with dignity, safety, and support.
I³R is leading with purpose, building coalitions, and driving innovation to transform maternal health outcomes in Arkansas. Because when we come together with compassion and determination to build healthier and stronger futures for the next generation of Arkansans.