$2 million grant helps Mercer address ‘critical need’ in infant, maternal health care

Mercer University’s South Georgia Healthy Start program has received a $2 million grant from the United Health Foundation to enhance maternal and infant health care.

The South Georgia Healthy Start program, which is housed at Mercer University’s School of Medicine, has already made significant strides in reducing infant mortality rates. Officials say new funding will help the program expand its prenatal and postpartum services.

“This grant will allow us to fortify our current workforce with a skilled team of doulas, while strategically tracking the response in maternal functioning and mental health over the project’s life course,” Dr. Jennifer Barkin, director of South Georgia Healthy Start, said in a press release.

Doulas are certified health care professionals who provide emotional and physical support to families throughout pregnancy, labor and the postpartum periods. They also help expectant mothers understand their options to support a healthy pregnancy.

“We view this as an incredible opportunity to build on our recent success in positively impacting community health outcomes by providing additional mothers, fathers and infants with enriched services,” Barkin added.

Grant partnerships with the United Health Foundation aim to address gaps in care for women and children in Georgia, such as maternal and infant health disparities that exist among different population groups.

Georgia’s maternal mortality rate was higher than the national average from 2018 to 2022, particularly among Black women, who are reportedly more likely to die during childbirth.

National statistics also reveal alarming trends, including the fact that maternal mortality has increased by 34% between 2014 and 2022, while infant mortality remains persistently high at 5.5 deaths per 1,000 births, according to the United Health Foundation.

“Ensuring the health of women and children is crucial for building strong communities nationwide,” Dr. Lisa Saul, the national medical director of Maternal Child Health at UnitedHealthcare, said in a news release. “America’s Health Rankings revealed gaps in care that affect the very core of our families, highlighting a critical need in the health system.”

The nonprofit organization’s funding is part of a larger initiative, totaling over $7 million in grants, aimed at improving maternal and infant health outcomes across several U.S. states, including Georgia, Michigan, New Mexico and Wisconsin.