Presenter:  Jennifer Unger, MD, Associate Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Brown University, Women and Infants Hospital

Despite advances globally, the number of people who die or have severe complications as a result of childbirth and pregnancy continues to increase in the United States. Deep inequities exist across race, socioeconomic status and geography. Further, the drivers of these maternal health disparities are complex and multifaceted and cross all care domains. One particular challenge is the identification, treatment, and resolution of postpartum complications including high blood pressure disorders, mental health symptoms, bleeding, and infections. We need innovative and accessible tools along the care continuum to 1) help identify early warning signs of such postpartum complications; 2) connect women to care providers; and 3) initiate care plans with minimum added burden to women or the health care system. Finally, we need to partner with communities and parents to understand the design of these interventions to ensure they reflect the realities of patients.