ABOUT US
STUDIES HAVE SHOWN THE CLINICAL BENEFITS OF TECHNOLOGY IN SUPPORTING PREGNANT WOMEN
In the United States, nearly 70,000 women are injured or die each year as a result of pregnancy or delivery complications, and the number is rising. Women who are poor, older, live in rural areas, or are from racial or ethnic minority populations have an increased risk of serious complications and even death.
Access to quality maternity care is a critical component of maternal health and positive birth outcomes. According to a March of Dimes Report, 2.2 million women of childbearing age in the US live in areas where women do not have easy access to maternity care. These are called “maternity deserts.” In 2017, almost 150,000 babies were born to women living in maternity care deserts.
It is important to note that these maternity deserts are not solely in rural areas of the US. Among women who live in maternity care deserts, 1 in 3 live in a large metropolitan area or urban setting.
Studies have shown the clinical benefits of technology in supporting pregnant women and their maternal health care teams. While there have also been a variety of legislations that have been brought for at the national level for address maternal health disparities, few have called for the recommendation and adoption of digital health technology for the purposes of addressing maternal health.
For these reasons, Reach, a 501(c)(3) global social impact organization, convened a group of likeminded entities, to be referred to as the Maternal Applications of Technology for Community Health (MATCH) Coalition. MATCH will work together in support of legislation such as the the Connected MOM Act and other complementing legislation and government affairs on topics related to the widespread adoption of information technology for maternal health and wellbeing.
WAY FORWARD
Maternal Applications of Technology for Community Health (MATCH) Coalition is composed of stakeholders from across the health and life sciences community. We share the goal of improving the healthcare conditions and outcomes of pregnant women. Participants include maternal health advocates, healthcare provider organizations, professional bodies, technology and device manufacturers. MATCH activities are centered around the promotion of research, education, and innovations. MATCH represents the general interests of those who recognize the value of digital health technology for maternal health and wish to ensure its safe, affordable, and ubiquitous adoption. The coalition will initially meet on a monthly basis beginning in December 2020. Member appointments are for two (2) years.
MATCH COALITION MISSION
To be the leading advisor for information and resources on the topic of digital health for maternal health, impacting policy, regulations, and practices.
Be a part of a movement that is making measurable, positive, and lasting change in maternal health. We pride ourselves in the diversity of our members. MATCH coalition strives to uphold parity, inclusion and representation. There is a role for everyone. Contact us to find out more about how you can participate or complete the MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION
2023 Activities
The 2023 Goals and Objectives will be accomplished through a series of collaborative activities:
Education
- Provide historical and forward-looking assessments of maternal health applications of digital technology
- Continue to share findings on women’s attitudes, behaviors and preferences related to the use of technology
- Advocate for regulatory and legislative action that stimulate innovation and entrepreneurship, including WIC and USDA
- Conduct semi-annual briefings on Capitol Hill in spring and fall of 2022
Technology
- Provide a list of recommendations and best practices in the development of digital maternal health applications, including the simplification of maternal health solutions
- Provide perspectives on the balancing of clinical and technical standards (designs, applications, and protocols)
- Monitor the landscape and measure the performance of digital health tools
Research
- Promote the publishing of research, factoids, comments, testimonials, occasional position papers and white papers, guidance for quality assurance, technical recommendations, as well as review research and provide summaries/literature reviews
- Create a directory of digital health technology providers
- Increase awareness and promote the ethical use of AI for maternal health
