In the News
Research, partnerships, and policy work from across the Heartland — building the case and the coalition to cut U.S. maternal mortality in half.
- June 2026
Maternal Health Is a Family Issue: A Father's Day Open Letter
A joint initiative by BirthFUND, 4Kira4Moms, and Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies America, co-signed by fathers, partners, and allies who believe maternal health is a family cause that needs every voice, including ours.
Read more ↗ - June 2026
Why Is Giving Birth More Dangerous in America Than It Was 40 Years Ago?
Katie Couric sits down with Olivia Walton, founder of Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies America, on why the U.S. has the highest maternal death rate in the developed world — and the prenatal, postpartum, and workforce solutions that can reverse it.
Read more ↗ - April 2026
Axios: Health Care's Solvable Problem - Maternal Mortality
Leaders, including HHS Chief Counselor Chris Klomp, convened to discuss how to address U.S. maternal mortality.
Read more ↗ - March 2026
Olivia Walton launches campaign to reduce nation’s maternal mortality rate by 50% in 5 years
Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies launches with an ambitious plan to cut the U.S. maternal mortality rate by 50% in 5 years.
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May 2026Govs. Sarah Sanders and Wes Moore join Olivia Walton on Meet the Press
A bipartisan call to cut U.S. maternal mortality in half within five years — and how states can lead.
Watch →- May 2026
HHS Announces Heartland Forward MOU to Advance Maternal Health
HHS and Heartland Forward will exchange information, align strategies, and collaborate on evidence-based initiatives to reduce maternal morbidity and mortality and strengthen care across the lifespan, including before, during, and after pregnancy.
Read more ↗ - May 2026
Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies America launches national campaign to cut U.S. maternal mortality in half within five years
Olivia Walton, Maryland Governor Wes Moore, and Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders unveil a bipartisan five-year campaign to halve U.S. maternal mortality.
Read more ↗ - May 2026
84% of maternal deaths are preventable: why we're failing America's moms
In an op-ed, Korie Robertson argues that with the vast majority of U.S. maternal deaths preventable, communities — including faith communities — have to step up.
Read more ↗ - May 2026
Bentonville based "think-and-do tank" plans Mother's Day initiative for maternal health
Cara Osborne discusses Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies and the plan to cut U.S. maternal mortality in half within five years, highlighting both the economic impact of poor maternal health outcomes on local economies.
Read more ↗ Bipartisan panel highlights maternal health needs
Axios Northwest Arkansas reports on a bipartisan panel spotlighting state-level maternal health needs alongside the launch of the national campaign.
Read more ↗This Mother’s Day, the Church Cannot Be Silent About Black Maternal Deaths
Black maternal mortality in Arkansas is a moral and justice crisis, and the Black Church must lead in advocating for compassionate, community-rooted maternal healthcare that protects the dignity and lives of mothers and babies.
Read more ↗- May 2026
A Mother's Day letter to mamas quietly breaking: the desert is not the end
Singer Christine D'Clario shares her own postpartum depression and the case for stronger maternal mental health support across the country.
Read more ↗ - April 2026
OPINION | OLIVIA WALTON: A five-year sprint to cut U.S. maternal mortality in half
Across the country, mothers are dying at rates that would have shocked our grandmothers. Nationally, our maternal mortality rate has more than doubled over the past 40 years.
Read more ↗ - March 2026
New national research finds Americans ready to act on maternal health
A nationwide poll commissioned by Heartland Forward shows broad bipartisan support for expanding maternal health investment.
Read more ↗ - March 2026
A Call to Action: Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies America
Heartland Forward MCH CPP establishes guidelines and provides an actionable framework to cut U.S. maternal mortality in half — to be achieved through policy reform, workforce development initiatives and proven changes to care delivery.
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