You Won't Believe How This New Site is Transforming Maternal Health in Southwestern Virginia – Find Out the Shocking Stats!

The Southwestern Virginia Health Region has taken a significant step in enhancing maternal health by launching a new Maternal Health website. This platform aims to provide essential resources for mothers, families, healthcare providers, and community organizations, reflecting a commitment to improving maternal outcomes across the state.

Initiated by the Virginia Department of Health under Executive Directive 11 (2025), the website consolidates maternal health information from various state agencies and partners. This effort is part of a broader statewide initiative aimed at addressing the pressing issue of maternal health in Virginia.

“This enhanced website, informed by mothers, doctors, doulas, midwives, and others in our community and around the Commonwealth who serve pregnant women, mothers, and families, provides important information about the state of maternal health in Virginia. We hope to empower our mothers and families with resources and information to assist them with healthy birth outcomes,”

Cynthia Morrow, MD, MPH, regional director for Southwestern Health Region

The newly launched site offers tailored resources for a variety of stakeholders, including pregnant and postpartum women, families, healthcare providers, and community groups. As maternal health remains a critical focus, the website seeks to address challenges faced by rural and underserved communities, which often experience higher rates of maternal mortality.

Recent data highlights the urgency of this initiative. Preliminary figures for 2024 indicate there were 15 maternal deaths in Virginia due to natural causes, a decrease from a peak in 2021. Over a four-year period from 2019 to 2023, the Southwestern Health Region reported 26 maternal deaths out of 62,022 live births, resulting in a maternal mortality rate of 41.9 per 100,000 live births. This statistic is notably higher than the state average of 34.5.

Disparities in maternal health outcomes are particularly pronounced among different racial and ethnic groups. The maternal mortality rates for Black and Hispanic women are more than double those of non-Hispanic White women, emphasizing the critical need for equitable access to care and resources.

“More than 80 percent of pregnancy-related deaths are preventable. In Virginia, we have the expertise, resources, and tools to support women as they navigate the experiences of pregnancy,” said Vanessa Walker Harris, MD, director of the Office of Family Health Services. “The VDH Maternal Health website can change families’ lives by making information and help readily available.”

Among the leading causes of pregnancy-related deaths are cardiac conditions, mental health issues, and substance abuse—many of which are preventable with proper care and resources. The new website aims to address these barriers by offering comprehensive support for women during and after pregnancy.

For residents seeking more information or assistance, local health departments are encouraged to be contacted, ensuring that families are connected to the resources they need. This initiative not only aims to improve individual health outcomes but also seeks to foster a supportive community around maternal health.

The launch of the Maternal Health website represents a proactive approach to ensuring that all mothers in Virginia have access to the vital information and support necessary for healthy pregnancies and births. As more attention is drawn to maternal health disparities, this platform could serve as a crucial tool for driving positive change across the state.