Health News Illinois reported: Meridian Health Plan of Illinois and March of Dimes will partner on a $1.2 million initiative to improve maternal and infant health outcomes in the Chicagoland region.

Along with community events, the funds will support the March of Dimes program to provide a mobile unit to communities with high maternal health disparities to reduce maternal health risks and improve birth outcomes.

The new mobile unit is set to deploy for programming early next year.

“At Meridian, we believe every mom and baby should have a healthy start," CEO Cristal Gary said in a statement. “Our efforts with March of Dimes will help new and expecting moms understand and identify maternal health risks. Early identification and treatment are critical components for healthy outcomes, which comes by connecting with these moms where they are.”

The partnership builds on a pilot started last year that saw the organizations host pop-up clinics and several virtual and in-person events.

"Through partnerships like this with real community impact, we can move closer to closing the health equity gap in underserved communities, and ensure these families have access to the care they need and deserve,” said Ashley Thies, March of Dimes’ senior executive director.

Save the Date: March 30, 2027  | The Power of Partnership: Rewriting the Future of Maternal & Child Health | Innovation, Equity, and Action Across the Maternal Journey. Check back with us for more details. 

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