AAFP task force tackling maternal mortality

The AHA recently participated in a meeting of an American Academy of Family Physicians task force that will recommend evidence-based strategies to improve maternal health and reduce disparities in maternal morbidity and mortality. The panel expects to issue recommendations in the near future, which also will seek to help physicians recognize implicit bias, address the growing loss of rural obstetrical services and provide the full scope of maternity care, including perinatal and postpartum services. In addition to AAFP and AHA, the task force includes representatives from the Association of Departments of Family Medicine, Association of Family Medicine Residency Directors, Society of Teachers of Family Medicine, American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and National Rural Health Association. Jay Bhatt, D.O., AHA senior vice president and chief medical officer, is representing AHA on the task force. For more information, tools and resources to advance better health for mothers and babies, visit https://www.aha.org/better-health-for-mothers-and-babies.