Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies America (HMHBA) has awarded $10 million grants to Arkansas and Kentucky to improve access to maternal healthcare.
With 35% of US counties defined as maternity care deserts – lacking access to obstetric care and birthing centers – HMHBA Founder Olivia Walton and her husband Tom Walton have made an initial commitment of $100 million to cut the US maternal death rate in half over the next five years.
Disproportionately impacted, nearly 50% of both Arkansas’ and Kentucky’s counties are maternity care deserts, leaving thousands of women without access to a provider.
“Arkansas and Kentucky are already making significant investments in maternal health, and we have an opportunity to build on that momentum,” said Olivia Walton. “States know their communities best, and we can help bring additional resources, partners, and support to build on what’s already working.”
HMHBA’s first state-level grant will support increased access to maternity care through doulas and midwives, as well as maternal mental health programs, at-home visits, and expanded postpartum care. HMBHA will work alongside both states to support sustainable implementation and measure impact.
“The challenge is making sure that the right care actually reaches mothers during pregnancy, at delivery, and throughout the critical year after birth,” said HMHBA President and Chief Medical Officer Dr. Neel Shah. “We want to help states put those solutions into practice, measure what works and bring them to communities across the country.”
