Monday, September 16, 2024
9/16/2024
Project Title: Preventing Maternal Deaths: Supporting Maternal Mortality Review Committees Applicant Name: New Jersey Department of Health Address: PO Box 364, Trenton, NJ 08625-0364 Problem: The death of a woman during pregnancy, at delivery, or soon after delivery is a tragedy for her family and for society as a whole. Sadly, about 700 women die each year in the United States as a result of pregnancy or delivery complications, the chain of events initiated by pregnancy, or the aggravation of an unrelated condition by the physiologic effects of pregnancy. Further, considerable racial disparities exist, with black women almost 4 times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than white women. Yet, findings from review of maternal mortality indicate that more than half of these deaths are preventable. This funding application will support the NJ Maternal Mortality Review Committee to identify and characterize maternal deaths with the goal of identifying prevention opportunities. Goals and Outcomes: This grant will support ($450,000 per year for 5 years) the NJ DOH to coordinate and manage the NJ Maternal Mortality Review Committee (NJ MMRC) to identify and characterize maternal deaths for identifying prevention opportunities. The grant requires the NJ MMRC 1) to identify pregnancy-associated deaths within one year of death; 2) to abstract and enter clinical and non-clinical data into a standard data system [Maternal Mortality Review Information Application (MMRIA)], 3) to conduct multidisciplinary reviews, and 4) to enter committee decisions in MMRIA within 2 years of death. Methodology: The strengthening of the NJ MMRC and the implementation of the strategies and activities outlined in the NJ MMRC Logic Model (Attachment 1) will produce the short-term, intermediate, and long-term outcomes necessary to reduce preventable maternal deaths. Recently enacted NJ legislation (P.L. 2019, c. 75) will strengthen the legal authority of the MMRC and meet the grant requirements that provide the MMRC: a) authority to access clinical and non-clinical records; b) confidentiality protections of data collected, proceedings and activities; c) access to vital statistic data on all pregnancy-associated deaths; and d) ability to share collected (MMRIA) data with the CDC. Coordination: NJ will expand existing collaboration with programs and organizations both internal and external to the CDC. Required letters of support from key stakeholder partnerships demonstrate the extensive collaboration with the NJ MMRC and include: the NJ DOH Vital Records Office, the NJ Hospital Association, the NJ Medicaid Office, the NJ Section of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and the NJ DOH Office of the Medical Examiner. Evaluation: Progress on completing strategies and activities and advancing outcomes will be evaluated by the NJ MMRC and the CDC by reviewing Work Plans, analyzing quarterly progress reports, holding monthly conference calls, reviewing annual site visits, and examining NJ MMRIA data on a quarterly basis.
HHS’ Tracking Accountability in Government Grants System (TAGGS) website provides access to detailed descriptions of grants, loans, aggregated direct payments and other types of financial assistance awarded by the HHS Operating Divisions (OPDIVs) and the Office of the Secretary Staff Divisions (STAFFDIVs).
