'Podnosis': How to elevate maternal care with integrated behavioral health services

Mental health conditions are the leading cause of maternal mortality, and most pregnancy-related deaths are preventable. This week on "Podnosis," Fierce Healthcare's Anastassia Gliadkovskaya talks with George Alvarado, M.D., the medical director of behavioral health at Northwell Health Solutions. They discuss how Northwell Health integrated behavioral health services at several of its OB practices, why such an approach is effective, and how others can replicate it.

To learn more about topics in this episode: 

• Providers rarely screen for maternal mental health. Are new guidelines enough to move the needle?

• Maternal death rates nearly doubled in 2 decades, study finds. Inconsistent data collection also hampers improvement efforts

• Sweeping new study analyzes maternal health outcomes with SDOH, finds Black mothers at much higher risk

• One in 5 mothers mistreated during maternity care, nearly half withhold concerns, CDC reports