Xavier Becerra Secretary at U.S. Department of Health and Human Services | Twitter Website
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has announced a significant investment of $105 million in funding to support over 100 community-based organizations dedicated to enhancing maternal and infant health. The announcement was made in Atlanta, Georgia, as part of HRSA's Enhancing Maternal Health Initiative.
HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra emphasized the importance of maternal health, stating, “Maternal health is a fundamental human right and every mother deserves access to quality care and support. Having a safe and healthy pregnancy and birth shouldn’t depend on the color of your skin, what language you speak at home, or where you live.”
HRSA Administrator Carole Johnson echoed this sentiment, highlighting the significance of the Healthy Start Program in promoting maternal and infant health. Johnson stated, “At the Health Resources and Services Administration, we know that healthy babies begin with healthy moms. Today’s $105 million investment in our Healthy Start Program is essential to implementing the Biden-Harris Administration’s Blueprint for Addressing the Maternal Health Crisis.”
Healthy Start, a HRSA-funded program, focuses on supporting expecting mothers and new mothers in communities with high infant mortality rates and disparities in outcomes, particularly affecting Black and Indigenous women and infants of color. The program offers a range of services tailored to community needs, including culturally responsive health care services, food assistance, transportation to care, and housing navigation, among others.
The Enhancing Maternal Health Initiative by HRSA aims to accelerate efforts to address maternal mortality and health disparities in partnership with various stakeholders across the country. This initiative works in areas with high maternal mortality rates, including Arizona, Alabama, Georgia, Illinois, and others, to advance better outcomes for maternal and infant health.
Through these investments and initiatives, the Biden-Harris Administration continues to prioritize the improvement of maternal and infant health outcomes, particularly in communities facing the greatest risks. For more information on the award recipients of the Healthy Start funding, visit the Healthy Start awards page.
