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      Our commitment to maternal health

      A mother smiles at her baby, who is looking past the camera.

      In Dec. 2021, we announced our commitment to addressing maternal health inequalities across the country. Our support comes in the form of a $1.7M investment in programs that will provide critical resources and education where they’re needed most.

      Why improving maternal health is important

      The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that Black women in the U.S. are three times more likely to die due to pregnancy-related causes compared to White women. And according to The Commonwealth Fund, the U.S. has the highest maternal mortality rate among developed countries and 60 percent of those deaths are likely preventable. Our funding will directly target communities most affected by these disparities to help ensure expecting mothers receive the maternal health care they need.

      We have an unwavering commitment to addressing the maternal health crisis that our country is facing — one which disproportionally impacts Black women. We will continue to do our part by investing in community-based programs that help reduce the maternal mortality rate in diverse populations so that every expectant mother receives the high quality of care they need and deserve.

      Joneigh Khaldun, MD, MPH, Chief Health Equity Officer, CVS Health

      Our maternal health partners

      Every Mother Counts

      CVS Health provided $650,000 to support the Choices in Childbirth project from Every Mother Counts. This program centers on the creation of a series of educational videos and resources that will empower expecting parents through their maternal care journey with the goal of improving maternal health and birth equity in the United States.

      America’s Essential Hospitals

      The CVS Health Foundation provided $847,000 to support a new learning collaboration by America’s Essential Hospitals to reduce morbidity and mortality for women and improve their obstetric outcomes. It will include 12 hospitals across the country that have maternal mortality rates above the national average, especially among Black patients.

      National Association of Free & Charitable Clinics

      The CVS Health Foundation provided $250,000 to implement a program in nine clinics across the country that provides educational and clinical training for providers to help identify women at risk for preeclampsia, a leading, preventable cause of severe maternal morbidity, maternal death, preterm birth and low birthweight.