J Natl Med Assoc
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Editorial
Strengthening the postpartum transition of care to address racial disparities in maternal health.
Maternal morbidity and mortality, important indicators of healthcare quality both nationally and internationally, have gained increasing public attention in the United States (U. S.). The U. ⋯ Medical complications, including cardiovascular disease and hypertensive disorders in pregnancy, remain leading contributors to disparities in maternal outcomes including pregnancy-related deaths. However, an under-explored opportunity for improvement is the failure to transition from obstetrical to primary care, which limits optimizing postpartum health. Health system approaches, community-based interventions, and policy solutions that facilitate transitions of care may be critical to eliminating persistent disparities in maternal outcomes.