The Institute for Public Health Innovation, Virginia Department of Health, and Cumberland Plateau Health District Announce the Formation of the Cumberland Plateau Perinatal Health Network
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – August 22, 2024
For More Information, Contact: VDH: Maternal and Child Health Coordinator Victoria Bartfai 276-883-1880 [email protected] IPHI: Communications Director Taya Jarman, APR 202-747-3541 [email protected]
Richmond, VA — The Institute for Public Health Innovation, the Virginia Department of Health, and the Cumberland Plateau Health District are pleased to announce a new initiative to improve maternal and child health (MCH) outcomes in Cumberland Plateau, Virginia. The Cumberland Plateau Perinatal Health Network will be established with a planning grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). This project will cover Tazewell, Russell, Buchanan, and Dickenson counties to build a network of stakeholders invested in improving the region’s maternal and child health outcomes.
A combination of healthcare shortages, social factors like limited economic opportunities, inadequate housing and transportation, and a region hard hit by the opioid epidemic have led to challenging perinatal health outcomes throughout the region. With an alarming rise in maternal mortality nationwide, Cumberland Plateau is facing the same disparities. The Network formally launches in August 2024 and seeks community members, including healthcare and public health organizations, community-based organizations, and community leaders. They will work collaboratively to develop a blueprint for improving healthcare coordination.
Three of the four counties in the Cumberland Plateau Health District are Maternity Care Deserts, and all counties in this district are facing higher rates of infant mortality and neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS). Reisa Sloce, District Director of the Lenowisco and Cumberland Plateau Health Districts said, “Through our dedicated work, we have determined that a stronger network is needed to address the health and well-being of moms and babies to receive optimal care.” The Cumberland Plateau Perinatal Health Network seeks to change these outcomes. “Through valuable partnerships and community support, we look forward to seeing positive outcomes throughout our region.”
IPHI Senior Vice President Mike Royster, MD, MPH, FACPM said, “Our mothers and babies deserve a strong network of providers to ensure optimal health services and outcomes. These efforts will positively impact their well-being. Through this valuable collaboration, we look forward to achieving substantial goals to make a difference among perinatal providers and community members in the Cumberland Plateau.”
While the initial award from HRSA is only a one-year grant, the Network plans to pursue additional longer-term funding options from HRSA to sustain. Network members with firsthand experiences as providers or patients are encouraged to join. To learn more, visit: https://shorturl.at/Au2Bj.
About the Institute for Public Health Innovation (IPHI)
Since 2009, IPHI has developed multi-sector partnerships and innovative solutions to improve the public’s health and well-being across the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia. IPHI’s work strengthens health systems and policy, enhances conditions that promote health, and builds community capacity to ensure equitable health opportunities. IPHI is one of over 50 public health institutes and a member of the National Network of Public Health Institutes. For more information about IPHI, visit: www.institutephi.org, and follow on social media @InstitutePHI.
About the Virginia Department of Health (VDH)
The VDH Cumberland Plateau Health District (CPHD) serves Buchanan, Dickenson, Russell and Tazewell Counties. CPHD is one of 35 VDH health districts. The mission of the CPHD is to achieve and maintain optimum personal and community health by emphasizing health promotion, disease prevention, emergency preparedness, and environmental protection. or more information about CPHD, visit: www.vdh.virginia.gov/cumberland-plateau/, and follow on Facebook at www.facebook.com/cphdvdh/.
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