This issue of Healthcare & Public Health News highlights new research on maternal COVID infections and fetal exposure, resources to address clinician burnout in primary care, a framework to advance maternal health equity through a social determinants of health lens, and much more.
“We know that primary care is essential for improving our nation’s health and reducing inequity,” shared Abt researcher Jessie Gerteis, MPH. “But burnout is a real problem in primary care. Health systems and practices must invest in supporting the well-being of primary care clinicians and frontline staff.” Learn about the new AHRQ resource we helped develop for primary care leaders focused on organization-wide approaches to addressing burnout.
“A novel study found no association between infant brain development and prenatal exposure to maternal asymptomatic or mild SARS-CoV-2 infections. Said co-author Gabriella Newes-Adeyi, Ph.D., “This is an important study for new moms and pregnant people worldwide who are nervous about how a mild or asymptomatic COVID infection could affect their unborn babies.”
AHRQ’s new National Center for Excellence in Primary Care Research (NCEPCR) is focused on providing evidence, practical tools, and resources for various stakeholders to improve the safety and quality care. To support the NCEPCR, Abt and partners will produce reports synthesizing AHRQ’s investments in primary care research using human-centered design and equity lenses, as well as disseminate NCEPCR’s research findings and engage stakeholders to support their mission.
Everyone is impacted by the climate crisis, and the U.S. health sector contributes to these impacts, generating almost 9 percent of emissions. Through a new White House and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Health Sector Climate Pledge, Abt and others are committing to reducing emissions by 50 percent or more by 2030.
Covering more than 12 million people in California, Medi-Cal is a critical program providing essential healthcare services every day. Under its California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal (CalAIM) initiative, the state is transforming healthcare delivery to address the root causes of health disparities and deliver more equitable, coordinated, person-centered care. As part of the Providing Access and Transforming Health Technical Assistance Marketplace, learn how Abt is supporting all seven of the program’s domains.
There is little question that maternal health inequities by race, ethnicity, geography, and income are rooted in social injustice. Thinking through an individual’s needs in context of a broader societal framework can help us better see and address these inequities and prevent maternal deaths. A new paper explains how.
Dr. Harris is a Principal Associate and Client Solutions Architect, Infectious Diseases with over 20 years of experience in research, surveillance, program implementation, monitoring and evaluation, data dissemination, and management in a range of the infectious and non-infectious diseases.
Dr. Whitehead is a Senior Associate who works at the intersection of public health, environmental justice, and sustainability. She has nearly 20 years of experience working at CDC and, most recently in an interim role at the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Health, Office of Environmental Justice.
