Despite medical advancements, maternal mortality rates have doubled since 1987. Yet more than 80% of pregnancy-related deaths have been deemed preventable. [American Hospital Association] 

We know that behind every statistic is a mother and child. Hospitals across the country are rewriting the story of maternal care — one data point, one mom, one family and one partnership at a time. 

Working alongside hospitals and health systems, the American Hospital Association’s Better Health for Mothers and Babies (BHMB) initiative aims to eliminate preventable maternal deaths and reduce pregnancy-related morbidity across the United States. This initiative is built on four core principles: Examine quality and outcomes data to guide strategy; consider the causes of disparities in health outcomes; involve patients and community in their own care; and engage the workforce.

During the summer of 2025, the AHA launched its BHMB webinar series, organized around the four core principles, where hospital leaders and clinicians shared how they are putting them into action.

The first session focused on the power of data and quality metrics and featured Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association, Tuba City Regional Health Care Corporation and Regional One Health. Vicki Buchda, director of care improvement from Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association stated, “We can’t treat what we don’t measure — and we can’t improve what we don’t share.”

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