, associate professor of the practice and maternal health lead for the at the University of Notre Dame, is partnering with Beacon Health System to pilot a new, first-of-its-kind postpartum care model in the South Bend-Elkhart community.
The Focused Postpartum Care (Focused-PPC) project will serve as many as 104 women and their children in Elkhart, Marshall and St. Joseph counties 鈥� with critical support from Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation in the form of a two-year, $310,595 grant.
The project, previously recognized with grants from the Indiana Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute, the and the Ford Program in Human Development 91视频 and Solidarity, is featured alongside the Eck Institute鈥檚 program in the , which will air at halftime of Saturday鈥檚 Notre Dame-Boise State football game.
Based in Indianapolis, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield Indiana, committed to addressing the physical, behavioral and social needs of vulnerable populations.
鈥淏y providing sustained support and monitoring throughout that critical first year, we can help prevent postpartum depression, identify health concerns early and ultimately save lives.鈥�
鈥淲hole health begins with ensuring mothers and babies have the care and support they need during the most critical stages of life,鈥� said Anthem Indiana Medical Director Kirsten Kahle. 鈥淧ostpartum care is far too often overlooked, yet it plays a vital role in preventing complications, supporting maternal mental health and giving children the healthiest possible start. We鈥檙e committed to investing in innovative, collaborative models like the Focused Postpartum Care project that can serve as blueprints for addressing complex health issues.鈥�
Led by Adams, whose research focuses on postpartum care, maternal health and maternal mortality, the Focused-PPC project falls under one of the Eck Institute鈥檚 core areas of work, the聽.
First introduced in Ghana, the Focused-PPC project is a group postpartum care, education and support model for postpartum women extending from delivery to one year post-birth.
Participants receive an initial postpartum visit within two weeks of giving birth; a routine postpartum visit at six weeks; additional monthly visits for 12 months; vital signs measurement at every visit; screenings for mental health and social drivers of health at certain intervals; and standardized education on various topics based on time frame after delivery, following a specially designed education guide.
The current standard for postpartum care in the U.S. is one doctor visit at six weeks after delivery.
鈥淪ix weeks is no longer sufficient,鈥� Adams said. 鈥淚f we want to improve maternal mortality and morbidity, we must prioritize quality postpartum care and education until one year post-birth.鈥�
In Ghana, . They were less likely to experience postpartum depression and more likely to follow healthy eating habits, recognize post-birth warning signs and adopt family planning methods. Due to monitoring, cases of high blood pressure among the participants decreased over time.
Postpartum care is especially critical in Indiana, which ranks low for maternal and infant mortality. Low-income and disadvantaged women and children are especially at risk.
鈥淔ocused postpartum care has the potential to significantly improve maternal and infant health outcomes in our community,鈥� said Kimberly Green Reeves, vice president of community impact and partnerships for Beacon Health System. 鈥淏y providing sustained support and monitoring throughout that critical first year, we can help prevent postpartum depression, identify health concerns early and ultimately save lives.鈥�
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