Overcoming the Maternal Care Crisis: How Can Lessons Learnt in Global Health Informatics Address US Maternal Health Outcomes?

Abstract

Despite unprecedented spending, US maternal outcomes have worsened drastically over the past decade. In comparison, maternal outcomes of many Low and Middle-Income Countries (LMIC) have improved. Lessons learnt by their success may be applicable to the US. We performed a literature review to identify innovations that had met with success across LMIC, and should be considered for adoption in the US. mHealth and patient facing alerts, Telehealth, patient controlled health records, inclusion of patient relationship data in health information systems and positioning empowered community health workers as catalysts of maternal care delivery were identified as innovations worthy of further evaluation. These innovations were categorized into several themes; knowledge, technology, patient/community empowerment, coordination and process change. Tools that place informed and empowered patients and community members at the center of maternal care has greatly improved maternal outcomes, and are suitable to be considered for the US healthcare system.