Introducing the Maternal and Child Health Equity Action Network

Maternal and Child Health Equity in North Carolina

Earlier this year we published the comprehensive landscape report, “Progress and Opportunities: Maternal and Child Health Equity in North Carolina,” which outlined a maternal and infant mortality equity crisis in North Carolina. 

North Carolina has the 8th highest infant mortality rate in the country, and black women are four times more likely to lose a child before their first birthday compared to white women. It is staggering that maternal mortality increased 58 percent from 1990 – 2017 in the United States, making America the only industrialized nation with rising maternal mortality. 

In response, FHLI announced the launch of the Maternal and Child Health Equity Action Network (MCHEAN), which will engage key partners, communities, and stakeholders to develop a sustainable, community-driven network dedicated to strengthening maternal and child health equity. 

What is the Maternal and Child Health Equity Action Network? 

At least 25 percent of MCHEAN participants have lived experience interfacing with maternal and child health equity issues. And, to ensure that community voices are represented and heard, FHLI will provide incentives for community participation among participants.  Participants in MCHEAN will partner to co-design action plans to improve maternal and child health equity in NC by developing three policy and advocacy plans. 

Our goals for MCHEAN are to: 

• Form an equity and action-focused network with community representation 
• Develop a community-informed report mapping and linking maternal and child health equity efforts in North Carolina 
• Produce and publicize at least three action plans to achieve opportunities in partnerships, program development, and policy reform 

We are excited to get started! This year we plan to recruit a target of 40 participants from across North Carolina to participate in MCHEAN, and we can’t wait. 

For more information about MCHEAN or to learn about how you can be involved, click here.