Mama Thrive Mission

Mama Thrive, is a Multicultural Maternal Telehealth Program. This program was spearheaded by Agape Family Health and is designed to ensure that minority women have access to exceptional healthcare before, during, and after pregnancy. The program provides resources and support to help mothers thrive physically, mentally, emotionally, and financially.

The program focuses on three main areas: Pregnancy Health, Labor and Birth, and Postpartum. They have also partnered with Accuhealth to provide Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM). Mama Thrive offers various resources, including information about urgent maternal warning signs, resources for Native American people, and a blog with articles on topics such as postpartum depression and natural birth.

Mama Thrive Impact

The current state of Black and Hispanic infant and mother mortality in the United States is a significant concern. Here are some key points based on recent data:

1. Infants born to Black, American Indian, Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander people have markedly higher mortality rates than those born to White women source.
2. In 2021, the maternal mortality rate for non-Hispanic Black women was 69.9 deaths per 100,000 live births source.
3. Non-Hispanic Black/African American infants are almost four times as likely to die from complications related to low birthweight as compared to non-Hispanic White infants source.
4. Hispanic, American Indian and Black infants are at the greatest risk for mortality, with these populations having the highest percentages for infant mortality source.
5. African Americans have the highest infant mortality rate of any racial or ethnic group in the United States source.
6. A Black mother with a college education is at 60 percent greater risk for maternal death than a White or Hispanic woman with less than a high school education source.

These statistics highlight the significant racial disparities in maternal and infant health outcomes in the United States. Efforts are ongoing to address these disparities and improve health outcomes for all mothers and infants.

Mama Thrive, a Multicultural Maternal Telehealth Program, is combating the issue of infant and mother mortality in several ways:

1. Access to Exceptional Healthcare: Mama Thrive ensures that minority women get access to exceptional healthcare before, during, and after pregnancy. This access to healthcare is crucial in preventing and managing complications that could lead to maternal or infant mortality.
2. Resources and Support: The program provides resources and support to help mothers thrive physically, mentally, emotionally, and financially. This holistic approach to maternal health can help address the various factors that contribute to maternal and infant mortality.
3. Remote Patient Monitoring: Mama Thrive has partnered with Accuhealth to provide Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM). RPM can help healthcare providers monitor patients’ health and respond quickly to potential problems, which can be particularly important for pregnant women and new mothers.
4. Education: The website offers information about urgent maternal warning signs, which can help women recognize potential problems early and seek medical attention. They also provide resources for American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) People.
5. Focus on Key Areas of Maternal Health: The program focuses on three main areas: Pregnancy Health, Labor and Birth, and Postpartum. By focusing on these key stages of maternal health, Mama Thrive can help ensure that women receive the care they need throughout their pregnancy and after giving birth.

By providing these services and resources, Mama Thrive is working to reduce maternal and infant mortality rates among minority women.

Mama Thrive Future

This video titled “Agape Family Health Talks with Mia Jones – What is the Mama Thrive Program?” is an interview with Mia Jones, the CEO of Agape Family Health. Here are the key points discussed:

• Agape Family Health: Mia Jones discusses her journey to becoming the CEO of Agape Family Health, a federally qualified Health Center in Jacksonville that provides healthcare services for insured and uninsured patients.
• Mama Thrive Program: The program is a pilot funded by the Florida legislature and the Florida Department of Health. It aims to see if the use of technology would have a positive impact on the mortality of minority women during pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum.
• Target Population: The program primarily focuses on minority women, specifically African-American and Indigenous women, as these populations are more likely to experience maternal mortality. However, the program benefits all pregnant women in the community.
• Services: The program provides a variety of services, including telehealth services, mother education, and routine monitoring of health indicators like blood pressure and weight. They also provide tools like a blood pressure cuffs, scale, and glucometer to help monitor health.
• Challenges: Mia Jones discusses the challenges that women of color face in receiving adequate healthcare, including a lack of attention and understanding from healthcare providers. She emphasizes the need for providers to listen to each individual patient and understand that every pregnancy is different.

Mama Thrive is a beacon of hope and a critical pillar for our future, given its heroic work in safeguarding the lives of babies and minority mothers.

The program’s commitment to reducing maternal and infant mortality rates among minority populations is not just commendable, but essential in a society striving for health equity. By providing exceptional healthcare, educational resources, and remote patient monitoring, Mama Thrive is actively combating the disparities that have long plagued our healthcare system.

Their work ensures that every mother, regardless of her background, has the chance to thrive during pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum. This is not just about saving lives in the present; it’s about shaping a healthier, more equitable future for all. The success of Mama Thrive is a testament to the power of targeted, compassionate healthcare, and a model for how we can address health disparities moving forward.

You can watch the full video here.

Agape Family Health Talks with Mia Jones – What is the Mama Thrive Program?