The Texas Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Review Committee (MMMRC) and Department of State Health Services (DSHS) have jointly released their 2020 Biennial Report. The report contains DSHS and MMMRC findings and MMMRC recommendations to help reduce the incidence of pregnancy-related deaths and maternal morbidity in Texas.
Summary of Recommendations
Increase access to comprehensive health services during pregnancy, the year after pregnancy, and throughout the preconception and interpregnancy periods to facilitate continuity of care, enable effective care transitions, promote safe birth spacing, and improve the lifelong health of women.
Engage Black communities and apply health equity principles in the development of maternal and women’s health programs.
Improve access to integrated behavioral health care from preconception through one-year postpartum for women with mental and substance use disorders.
Improve statewide infrastructure and programs to address violence and intimate partner violence at the state and community levels.
Implement statewide maternal health and safety initiatives to reduce preventable maternal mortality and morbidity.
Foster supportive community environments and leverage programs and services that help women of childbearing age achieve their full health potential.
Support coordination between emergency and maternal health services, and implement evidence-based, standardized protocols to identify and manage obstetric and postpartum emergencies.
Improve postpartum care management and discharge education for patients and families.
Continue and strengthen activities to increase public awareness and prevention.
Support strategies to continuously improve maternal mortality investigation and case review processes.
The full report is available on the DSHS website.