County launches maternal-health convening, steering committee to address disparities

Montgomery County health officials reported a recent convening to advance maternal and infant health and said they plan to form a steering committee to develop county recommendations to address persistent racial and ethnic disparities.

The March convening drew 69 participants—healthcare providers, researchers, policymakers, advocates and families—to review data and discuss access to quality care, systemic racism’s impact, socioeconomic constraints and culturally competent practices. County staff described follow-up work by the fetal and infant mortality review board and an Office of Legislative Oversight report that informed the meeting’s data-driven discussions.

County programs highlighted included Babies Born Healthy, the SMILE program (African American Health Program), the Montgomery Perinatal Partnership and a broad home-visiting portfolio. Staff said community health nurses and community health workers provide home visits to about 2,000 pregnant women annually. Fiscal-year figures cited by staff for FY24: Babies Born Healthy served 180 moms; Montgomery Perinatal Program served 1,772 moms; Infants at Risk served 130; child lead poisoning and asthma programs saw 98; and the perinatal administrative care coordination unit triaged 2,488 Medicaid enrollees and connected them to services.

Dr. Davis told the Council the steering committee will be charged with developing recommendations and that the department is seeking grant funding to support implementation because state and county directed funding is limited. She said staff anticipate returning to the Council in one to two years with recommendations.