On today's episode, Denise Hanisch from the South Dakota Department of Health shares the state's maternal and infant health priorities, and ASTHO's Sanaa Akbarali highlights takeaways from the Region 7 Maternal Health ECHO Summit.
Improving maternal and infant health outcomes requires more than quality clinical care, it takes strong partnerships, community engagement, and a commitment to addressing barriers that extend far beyond the exam room. Today, Denise Hanisch, chief medical officer for the South Dakota Department of Health, discusses the state's maternal and infant health priorities, including postpartum care, safe sleep initiatives, fatherhood engagement, and efforts to reduce disparities affecting American Indian families. She also explains how South Dakota is using data, workforce development, and rural health investments to strengthen care for mothers and babies across the state. Later, Sanaa Akbarali, senior director of maternal and child health at ASTHO, highlights lessons from the Region 7 Maternal Health ECHO Summit. She explores how public health agencies, health care providers, community organizations, and families are working together to address workforce shortages, expand access through telehealth, support community-based care models, and ensure that lived experience helps shape maternal health policies and programs.
Women, Infant, and Family Health Resources | ASTHO
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