Activating community focused interventions to improve maternal health

Poor maternal health outcomes are a global issue often complicated by barriers to care arising from social determinants of health. Communities have called for their voices to be heard and to be included in efforts to improve maternal health. However, many community-focused interventions are tied to existing health systems and paradigms, i.e., health system driven programs or reliance on community health workers. These approaches are constrained by resources and may overlook the considerable knowledge, motivation and commitment within communities themselves to improve maternal health. Alternative approaches utilizing assets within communities to improve health literacy, social support, and reduce barriers to care with the aim of improving outcomes for women during pregnancy and the post-partum period have been reported. This Call for Papers seeks to highlight community-centered approaches to addressing social determinants of health demonstrating true partnership with communities to improve health for all mothers. We welcome contributions that incorporate community members in program/intervention design, execution, and sustainability to improve maternal health during pregnancy and up to 1 year postpartum. Papers targeting high-risk urban and rural settings, including low-middle income countries, and those incorporating marginalized groups are encouraged. By bringing together global initiatives and innovative approaches for addressing social determinants of health affecting pregnant and postpartum women, this collection aims to provide evidence-based approaches and alternative opportunities for community participation in improving maternal health. Areas of particular interest include: - Access to care - Health literacy - Patient and community education - Patient empowerment - Social, practical and financial support - Peer networks Topic editors: Rose Maxwell Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/86745/activating-community-focused-interventions-to-improve-maternal-health