Caitlin Hannon’s Post

This is such an important conversation and why we dedicated an entire season of A Fresh Story to conversations around pregnancy and infant loss. You can listen to the stories here: https://lnkd.in/e67sqZBK

“The number of American babies who died before their first birthdays rose last year, significantly increasing the nation’s infant mortality rate for the first time in two decades, according to provisional figures released Wednesday by the National Center for Health Statistics. The spike is a somber manifestation of the state of maternal and child health in the United States. Infant and maternal mortality, inextricably linked, are widely considered to be markers of a society’s overall health, and America’s rates are higher than those in other industrialized countries. The rates are particularly poor among Black and Native American mothers, who are roughly three times as likely to die during and after pregnancy, compared with white and Hispanic mothers. Their infants face up to double the risk of dying, compared with white and Hispanic babies” And Georgia was one of four states to have statistically significant increases in infant mortalities. It is beyond CRUCIAL that we start to trend these numbers ⬇️ in the right direction.

Understanding Trauma is crucial for effective Systems Change. Dive into this enlightening article shedding light on #IntergenerationalTrauma and healing-centered funding authored by Shruti Jayaraman, Chief Investments Officer at Chicago Beyond. Let's broaden our perspectives, minimize harm, and maximize effectiveness toward a future of intergenerational wellbeing together. To learn more, visit https://lnkd.in/gnyx_PBQ This is part of our ongoing editorial partnership with Stanford Social Innovation Review, The Greater Good Science Center, India Development Review (IDR), Skoll Foundation.

When funders have a more interconnected understanding of the social and environmental issues they seek to address, the probability of successful outcomes increases. Learn from Shruti Jayaraman of the philanthropic organization Chicago Beyond about ways funders can better understand the impact of intergenerational trauma on communities and make shifts to see a broader, and different, set of potential responses to systemic disparities >> https://lnkd.in/giKDCGyg #Wellbeing #SystemsChange #Philanthropy

Really interesting perspective for funders on systems change: 'Knowledge of trauma and healing gives funders a way to expand their perspectives, do less harm, and be more effective at systems change. World Economic Forum analysis has shown that compounding inequalities related to things like property rights and wealth redistribution over generations drive violent victimization and sustain trauma globally.' Working with a trauma-informed approach is becoming increasingly significant for funders, are there many working in this way in the UK?

One year ago today CNN reported that the United States received a D+ on the March of Dimes report card, last week the numbers were reported as still increasing. Colorado is a bit lower than the national average receiving a C rating and only a 10% prematurity rate. That means 1 in 10 babies is born prematurely. This is why organizations like ours are vital to the perinatal and neonatal communities. Check out your states report card here: https://lnkd.in/e4u6z8-3 https://lnkd.in/g3hr2UBN #prematurityawarenessmonth #youmatter #statistics #healthequity #nonprofit #advocate #nicusupport #neonatalcare #maternalmentalhealth

🌡️🤰 As the summer heat approaches, a compelling study published in JAMA Network Open raises important concerns for expectant mothers. Research involving the health records of 53 million women over 24 years indicates a link between prolonged heat waves and an increase in preterm and early-term births. ⚠️ After four days of high temperatures, a 2% rise in preterm births and a 1% increase in early-term births were observed. Notably, for each degree Celsius increase above the heat threshold, there was an additional 1% increase in these rates. This is particularly pertinent as we brace for another hot summer, following 2023's record temperatures. 👶 Premature births occur before 37 weeks of gestation, carrying potential health risks and financial burdens for families. It's also a matter of equity. Younger mothers, those with less education, and those from minority ethnic or racial groups were disproportionately affected, likely due to inadequate access to cooling resources and healthcare. At L&M Foundation, we are dedicated to addressing these disparities and supporting maternal health. As we anticipate a hotter future, it’s critical to ensure that all families have the resources and care necessary to safeguard the wellbeing of mothers and their babies. 🔗 Learn more about our initiatives at www.landmfoundation.org and join us in advocating for a safer environment for expectant mothers. 👉 Read the full study for more insights: https://lnkd.in/duQ76kwA #MaternalHealth #ClimateChange #HeatwaveImpact #PretermBirth #HealthEquity #LMFoundation

A thought-provoking SSRI article on how understanding trauma and healing is an entryway into effective systems change across all issue areas within philanthropy. ECFG members and members of partner affinity groups have been exploring this topic in our Trauma-Informed Grantmaking Learning Journey this year - stay tuned for our report in the new year. Solutions highlighted here include: - Widen the funding perspective  - Expand institutional knowledge and metrics - Fit funding processes and terms to purpose - Make risk analysis whole - Learn and be accountable https://lnkd.in/eP9yhjJQ

We are entering a new level of erosion of reproductive freedom and healthcare with Idaho v. US. If Idaho wins - the state can refuse emergency healthcare even if the pregnant person may die. Not only is it a flagrant abuse of power and politicization of basic emergency healthcare, but it also positions other states to follow Idaho's lead. This ruling will undermine the basic premise that federal laws should supersede state laws, which could have far-reaching ramifications. We must uphold the Emergency Medicine Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA). Learn more from Boom Lawyered. #ProtectAMTALA #ReproductiveHealthcare #HumanRights #ProtectWomen #PregnancyRights

Melinda French Gates seeks to change what she calls “needless” deaths amongst pregnant women. The Gates Foundation, co-chaired by Melinda French Gates, has committed to donating $370 million annually from 2023 to 2027 to help combat the tragedy of “needless” deaths amongst pregnant women. The funds will go toward #technology and #innovations that have the potential to save women’s lives. By 2030, they believe these innovations could save more than 2 million mothers from needless deaths and help break down the maternal #healthequity disparities that Black and indigenous women face. According to the #Goalkeepers Report, an annual publication from The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, 800 women across the globe die every day from preventable pregnancy-related causes. In high-income countries like the U.S., Black and indigenous women die during pregnancy at three times the rate of white women. The #WHO fact sheets states that, every day in 2020, almost 800 women died from preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth. A maternal death occurred almost every two minutes in 2020. Almost 95% of all maternal deaths occurred in low and lower middle-income countries in 2020. Care by skilled health professionals before, during and after childbirth can save the lives of women and newborns. Sub-Saharan #Africa and Southern #Asia accounted for around 87% (253 000) of the estimated global maternal deaths in 2020. Sub-Saharan Africa alone accounted for around 70% of maternal deaths (202 000), while Southern Asia accounted for around 16% (47 000). The high number of maternal deaths in some areas of the world reflects inequalities in access to quality health services and highlights the gap between rich and poor. The MMR in low-income countries in 2020 was 430 per 100 000 live births versus 12 per 100 000 live births in high income countries. Humanitarian, conflict, and post-conflict settings hinder progress in reducing the burden of maternal mortality. The average MMR for very high and high alert fragile states in 2020 was 551 per 100 000, over double the world average. In high income countries, this is 1 in 5300, versus 1 in 49 in low-income countries. Women die as a result of complications during and following pregnancy and childbirth. The major complications that account for nearly 75% of all maternal deaths include: severe bleeding, infections; high blood pressure; complications from delivery; and unsafe abortion. The global MMR in 2020 was 223 per 100 000 live births; achieving a global MMR of less than 70 per 100,000 births by the year 2030 (SDG 3) will require an annual rate of reduction of 11.6%. Melinda French Gates call to action and the commitment of nearly $1.5 billion from 2023-2027 by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will pivot the desired goal🎯 https://cbsn.ws/3tejrwK World Health Organization - https://lnkd.in/eUH89NAA Robert F. Smith #subsaharanafrica #southasia #mmr