Website Seeks to Strengthen Maternal Mortality Reviews to
Reduce Pregnancy-Related Deaths
June 2017 – The Association of Maternal & Child Health Programs (AMCHP) has launched a
website to promote the maternal mortality review process as the gold standard for measuring and
reducing pregnancy related death.
Review to Action advances the measurement of pregnancy-related deaths and the translation of
maternal mortality review findings into population-based solutions and interventions, and serves
as a resource for best practices in maternal mortality review.
The pregnancy-related mortality ratio in the U.S. has steadily increased in recent decades, with
an estimated 700 women dying of pregnancy-related causes each year. The goal of Review to
Action is to:
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Assist states without a maternal mortality review committee (MMRC) in gathering
resources, tools, and support to build political and social will to establish a review
committee;
Connect states with a MMRC to their peers to share forms, processes, procedures, and
strategies to build capacity to conduct reviews and translate findings into action;
Raise awareness of the critical role MMRCs play in eliminating preventable maternal
deaths and promoting the health and wellness of expecting and new mothers.
A key element of this work is the Maternal Mortality Review Information Application
(MMRIA), a free data system launched on May 1, 2017 that supports developing a common
language for reviews and puts states on a path to use data in a standard way. MMRIA supports
and standardizes key parts of the review process, including data abstraction, case narrative
development, documentation of committee decisions, and routine analysis.
AMCHP developed Review to Action in partnership with the CDC Foundation and the CDC
Division of Reproductive Health. Review to Action is a product of a larger initiative, Building
U.S. Capacity to Review and Prevent Maternal Deaths, led by the CDC Foundation and
supported by funding from Merck through its “Merck for Mothers” program.
In addition to gaining access to innovative resources and making connections with colleagues in
other states, Review to Action users can tap into expertise and technical assistance from the
Building U.S. Capacity to Review and Prevent Maternal Deaths initiative team and related
partners. Individuals affiliated with a MMRC can sign up for the discussion board, a private
space to ask questions of their peers and interact with subject-matter experts.
1825 K Street, NW, Suite 250, Washington, DC 20006 MAIN 202 775 0436 FAX 202 478 5120
WWW.AMCHP.ORG
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AMCHP is the national membership association of state maternal and child health leaders. As an
advocate, resource and partner, AMCHP’s mission is to protect and promote the optimal health
of women, children, and families. We envision a nation that values and invests in the health and
well-being of all women, children, families, and communities. For more information, visit
www.amchp.org or connect with AMCHP on Facebook or Twitter.
1825 K Street, NW, Suite 250, Washington, DC 20006 MAIN 202 775 0436 FAX 202 478 5120
WWW.AMCHP.ORG