Over half of maternal deaths happen postpartum and over 80% of these deaths are preventable. Yet, U.S. care systems struggle to transition postpartum women to longitudinal care teams who can partner with them to identify and address physical and behavioral health needs.  Postpartum transition remains especially challenging within communities with limited healthcare access.

CONTINUUM implements a series of projects to build long-term, shared maternal health research capacity in low healthcare access areas, both urban and rural, through establishment of a multi-institutional maternal health research center comprised of The Ohio State University, Howard University and Albizu University (Miami, San Juan). These CONTINUUM institutions, positioned within and adjacent to under-resourced communities with limited healthcare access, are well suited to lead postpartum transition redesign that meets the unique needs of its communities.

Results will inform postpartum service redesign, incorporating patient lived experience and community-based organization partnerships, that can help innovate longitudinal care solutions that holistically address comprehensive needs of postpartum women.