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ForwardThe U.S. Maternal Health Crisis: Improving Outcomes for All
Course description
The U.S. has the worst maternal mortality among high income countries. This alarming reality reflects a complex interplay of medical, social and systemic factors that affect patients before, during and long after pregnancy. In this webinar, Joyce Adams, PhD, BSN, will provide an overview of maternal health in the U.S., focusing on maternal mortality rates, timing and causes of maternal deaths, the critical role of postpartum care, inequities in maternal health, as well as challenges and recommendations. Drawing from her groundbreaking research on a group postpartum care model (Focused-PPC), Dr. Adams will provide practical strategies and recommendations to improve maternal health outcomes for all patients.
Learning objectives
At the conclusion of this learning activity, participants will be able to:
- Summarize the status of maternal health in the United States
- Identify challenges in maternal healthcare
- Describe how an evidence-based group postpartum care model (Focused-PPC) can improve outcomes
- Discuss strategies and recommendations to improve outcomes for all patients
Target audience
Physician and clinician policyholders
Disclosure
The planners, faculty, and others in control of content have no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies.
CME information
This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of the Illinois State Medical Society and ISMIE Mutual Insurance Company. The Illinois State Medical Society is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
The Illinois State Medical Society designates this live activity for a maximum of 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
The Illinois Nurse Practice Act rules deem CME credit provided by approved sponsors as acceptable to fulfill nursing continuing education requirements for licensure. Nurses may claim one contact hour per unit of CME in the state of Illinois.
Additional information
The recommendations contained in this resource are not intended to define conduct that is appropriate in every case, should not be considered as establishing any standard of care, and do not constitute legal advice. Physicians, clinicians and healthcare providers should take care to ensure that all care rendered reflects the best clinical judgment and complies with the laws and regulations of the state or location at which the care was provided.
Joyce Adams, PhD, BSN
Joyce Adams, PhD, BSN, is an Associate Professor of the Practice and the Global Maternal Research Lead for the Eck Institute for Global Health at the University of Notre Dame. She received her PhD in Nursing Science from Michigan State University. Dr. Adams’ research is dedicated to improving postpartum health outcomes among women most impacted by maternal mortality. She is passionate about using research interventions to improve maternal health among populations disproportionately affected in the United States and in Sub-Saharan Africa where the burden of maternal mortality is most severe.
Dr. Adams has experience conducting patient focused research and implementing both healthcare systems and community-based interventions to improve access to quality postpartum care and education. She is focused on developing interventions that can be scaled up and adopted into existing systems of care to improve health outcomes and decrease maternal morbidity and mortality. Dr. Adams developed an innovative group model of postpartum care, called Focused Postpartum Care (Focused-PPC). It provides women with more frequent follow-up appointments for 12 months after birth, standardized education for the entire post-birth year, and peer support through group sessions. This model is available for adaptation and implementation in diverse settings. In 2025, Dr. Adams’ work was featured on an NBC commercial as part of the University of Notre Dame’s What Would You Fight For? series.
Available Credit
- 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™
This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of the Illinois State Medical Society and ISMIE Mutual Insurance Company. The Illinois State Medical Society is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
The Illinois State Medical Society designates this enduring material for a maximum of 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
- 1.00 Discount Credit
- 1.00 Participation Credit
Employed by a policyholder, but don't have an ISMIE web account? You can still register for the webinar here.