Maternal Health

House Bill 1252, to establish the Certified Community-Based Doula Certification Act, has been referred to the Senate Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee at the State Capitol. Though that legislation is pending, the Doula Alliance of Arkansas is taking note of World Doula Week.

As the Arkansas Legislature considers a community-based doula certification act, the Doula Alliance of Arkansas takes note of World Doula Week. That story is on today's show. Plus, we’ll consider wellness in our regular feature “balance," by examining the similarities and differences between hunger and appetite. Also, the fifth annual Leverett AMP Concert Series in Fort Smith is about to start.

Arkansas ranks 50th in maternal mortality and 50th in infant mortality. Bentonville-based Ingeborg Initiatives is teaming up with Royal Phillips, a Netherlands-based tech company, to develop a free Arkansas-specific app for new and expecting mothers to get information about services, improve health literacy and connect to health care.

Arkansas ranks very low in maternal health categories, and a new, free app is trying to help expecting and new mothers get connected to services. On today's show, we hear how an Arkansas-specific pregnancy app could move the needle for maternal health. Plus, the co-writer of Back to the Future helps turn the iconic film series into a stage musical. Also, writer Mathew Goldberg is coming back to northwest Arkansas to launch his new book at Two Friends in Bentonville.

An Arkansas House of Representatives committee has advanced a bill to amend maternal health laws. House Bill 1427 would create the “Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies Act” to improve Arkansas’ low maternal health outcomes.

Gov. Sanders unveiled her much anticipated maternal health care package aimed at improving Arkansas’ low national ranking, Thursday, Feb. 6.

The same study finds some minority groups, including Black and Native Hawaiian/Island populations were less likely to experience the recommended prenatal care visits compared to white mothers.

The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Institute for Community Health Innovation is preparing to train 80 doulas in 2025. The program is available across the state and, through scholarships, will cover the full cost of training.

There are fewer than 50 trained doulas in Arkansas, and UAMS wants to double that number. On today's show, we hear about a new program covering the full cost of training for 80 doulas. Also, the Arkansas General Assembly continues at the State Capitol, and lawmakers are establishing their preferences for legislation. Plus, Ozark at Large’s Sophia Nourani speaks with the Ozark Mountain Music Festival's “Artist at Large” John Mailander.

Currently, Arkansas ranks worst in the country for maternal health and infant mortality. A relatively new organization called Arkansans for Improving Maternal Health, or AIM, seeks to change that.