Thursday, December 26, 2024
12/26/2024
Purpose The American Samoa Department of Health (ASDOH), with partners such as LBJ Medical Center Authority, Homeland Security Vital Statistics, Governor's Office, Department of Public Safety, WIC, and community stakeholders, aims to establish a Maternal Mortality Review Committee (MMRC). Funded by the CDC, the project will review maternal deaths to identify preventable causes and develop strategies to reduce pregnancy-related mortality and health disparities in American Samoa. Background Maternal mortality remains a major public health issue in the U.S., disproportionately affecting non-Hispanic Native Hawaiian, other Pacific Islander, Black, and American Indian/Alaska Native populations, as well as rural communities. American Samoa faces a higher burden due to its small population, where even a single death significantly impacts rates. In 2022, two pregnancy-related deaths were identified. Establishing an MMRC will benefit American Samoa by identifying preventable factors in over 80% of cases and providing critical insights into underlying causes, leading to targeted, evidence-based interventions. Objectives Enhance Data Collection and Quality: Ensure timely and comprehensive abstraction of clinical and non-clinical data. Increase Review Timeliness: Conduct multidisciplinary reviews within 24 months of death using standardized criteria. Engage Community Perspectives: Incorporate family and community insights through informant interviews. Develop and Implement Recommendations: Formulate strategies to prevent future maternal deaths based on findings. Disseminate Findings: Share data and recommendations with stakeholders to drive policy and program changes. Short-Term Outcomes Improved data quality and timeliness on pregnancy-related deaths. Comprehensive reviews of all pregnancy-related deaths within the designated timeframe. Effective community engagement in the review process. Documentation and dissemination of prevention recommendations. Establishment of a multidisciplinary, diverse review committee. Key Activities Data Collection and Abstraction: Use MMRIA to abstract data from medical records, social services, and informant interviews. Complete data entry and quality assurance within 18 months of each death. Review Process: Maintain a diverse MMRC with representatives from clinical, public health, and community organizations. Apply consistent selection criteria and ensure timely reviews. Community Engagement: Conduct informant interviews, train personnel in qualitative interviewing and bereavement counseling, and integrate community insights into case reviews and recommendations. Data Analysis and Dissemination: Analyze data to identify trends and opportunities for prevention, focusing on affected populations. Develop and implement dissemination plans to share findings and recommendations. Partnership Development: Foster partnerships with community organizations to increase the utilization and transparency of MMRC data. Engage local communities to collaboratively assess and interpret data, develop reports, and implement recommendations. Long-Term Outcomes Reduced pregnancy-related mortality and disparities in American Samoa. Enhanced capacity for data-driven public health actions and policy changes. Strengthened community trust and involvement in maternal health initiatives. Conclusion Establishing the MMRC in American Samoa, supported by multidisciplinary agencies and community stakeholders, will provide critical insights into maternal deaths and drive effective interventions to prevent future tragedies. This initiative aligns with national efforts to reduce maternal mortality and health disparities, ensuring safer pregnancies and healthier outcomes for all women in American Samoa.
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).