The United Health Foundation, the philanthropic arm of UnitedHealth Group, has announced more than $7 million in new grants aimed at improving maternal and infant health outcomes across underserved communities.
The funding will support expanded prenatal, postpartum, and substance-use care services in Georgia, Michigan, New Mexico, and Wisconsin, while also bolstering the local doula workforce. The initiative is a direct response to data from America’s Health Rankings, which shows a 34% rise in maternal mortality between 2014 and 2022 and a persistently high national infant mortality rate of 5.5 deaths per 1,000 births.
“These statistics reveal urgent care gaps in our system,” said Dr. Lisa Saul, national medical director of maternal child health at UnitedHealthcare. “Improving outcomes for women and infants is central to our mission.”
Key grants include $2 million to South Georgia Healthy Start to expand prenatal and postpartum care, $1.5 million to Meta House in Milwaukee for substance-use support among pregnant and parenting women, and $1.5 million to La Clinica de Familia in New Mexico to broaden access to gynecologic services. An additional $1 million will go to five organizations committed to developing and diversifying the doula workforce.
The move aligns with broader trends in maternal care innovation. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts recently launched a doula pilot program with Accompany Doula Care to improve maternal outcomes and address racial health disparities across the state.
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