The U.S. has a maternal mortality crisis. Can technology help us rescue it?

The United States, despite having the highest healthcare spending per capita in the world, also ranks at the top for maternal mortality amongst developed nations. Compounding the crisis is the fact it’s not felt equally.

It’s those in lower socioeconomic tiers, people of color, and rural populations who face disproportionately higher risks.

Dr. Nichole Young-Lin has seen these iniquities firsthand, having co-founded Saving Mothers as an undergraduate and run it for more than 13 years. The organization’s aim is improving maternal mortality in places like Guatemala and Kenya but also New York City.

“There are large geographic disparities in maternal healthcare distribution,” explains Dr. Young-Lin, who is now a practicing OB/GYN in California and serves as Google’s Women's Health Clinical Lead. “About 36% of counties in America are considered maternity care deserts. That’s over one-third of the country.”

It’s a stark reminder of the deep-rooted inequities within the healthcare system: A moment that is meant to be filled with joy instead becomes one of tragedy.

While most mothers in America receive excellent care, the system as a whole is failing those who need it the most. “The majority of maternal deaths are preventable,” Dr. Young-Lin said. “So it’s not that we don’t know what to do. We’re just not meeting patients where they need us.”

In the face of this, technology offers a tremendous potential for change. It’s not just about another app or gadget — it's about harnessing the power of data and innovation to create a truly personalized, empathetic system of care. It’s about making sure patients and families that have long been overlooked are seen and treated like everyone else.

And in a system riven by health inequities, this could become a new, holistic way of thinking about care that, while driven by data, can make a real difference in the real world — not only at birth but for every stage of life.

The digital bridge to equitable care

Imagine a digital companion throughout the pregnancy, postpartum, and early childhood that understands a birthing parent's unique needs. In addition to traditional health markers, the expansion power of cloud computing could also factor in the challenges of their location, their social circumstances, family history, and other health risks. It then seamlessly connects them to trusted care providers, education, community support, even transportation to appointments. It's smart, compassionate, and designed to give every mother and baby the best possible start.

Dr. Young-Lin sees this as a vision of healthcare that’s been discussed for decades but only now being realized. “There’s so much opportunity for technology to interface with patients in a way that healthcare systems fail,” she said. “The potential is incredible for everything from diagnosis and treatment to risk stratification and education.”

One of the most powerful aspects of technology in maternal healthcare is its potential to dismantle barriers and build a more equitable system.

During the pandemic, we gained a sense of just how great the potential is for telemedicine, and it continues to grow. For women in rural areas or those facing transportation challenges, virtual care options can quite literally bridge the geographic divide. This brings much-needed services directly to them and starts filling in some of the gaps in those maternal care deserts.

But technology's impact extends beyond geography. It can help address systemic disparities by leveraging health data to tailor care plans to individual needs and preferences. It can help recognize high-risk lifestyle choices, identify populations in crisis, even simple things like text reminders for taking medication or apps for meal tracking and health monitoring.

This personalized approach fosters trust and engagement, particularly among populations that have been historically marginalized or underserved by the healthcare system.

Furthermore, technology can improve the reach of healthcare professionals, addressing provider shortages even in resource-limited areas. Virtual consultations and remote monitoring tools empower providers to serve more patients, ensuring that care is accessible to a much larger portion of the population.

Both payers and providers should care about this opportunity. Investing in personalized digital experiences can make a big positive impact in the quality of maternal care that their members receive.

Tech-driven solutions: What’s possible today

Partnerships between healthcare technology platforms like League and Pager Health, are leading the way in developing AI-powered solutions for payers and providers that reduce adverse health outcomes and expand access to care. Built on Google Cloud’s robust infrastructure, their offerings are pioneering new ways for everyone — at every level of the healthcare system and society — to benefit in new ways from technology-driven care.

When it comes to maternal care their offerings serve as a reminder that if technology can help address one of the most dire corners of the system, it can be applied in similar ways to most other parts of the care economy.

Among the features League and Pager Health have developed to tackle maternal health are:

• 24/7 access to an omni-channel care companion: The pregnancy and postpartum journey is filled with uncertainties and anxieties. Having access to a virtual care companion at any time of day or night can provide much-needed reassurance, support, and access to resources. These digital companions can offer personalized information, track health metrics, and answer questions, empowering women to take control of their health without the need to connect with a professional that may not be available.
• Personalized care journeys: Each pregnancy is unique, and care plans should reflect every individual’s specific needs. Digital solutions can create personalized care journeys that consider factors like clinical needs, social drivers of health, and other factors. This tailored approach ensures that every birthing parent receives the most relevant and effective care possible.
• Seamless connections and support networks: Technology can connect women to a wide range of support services, including trusted care providers, safe transportation options, personalized educational resources, and community support networks. This helps to break down many of the existing barriers to care while fostering a sense of connection and belonging.
• Proactive outreach from a clinical care team: Regular and proactive communication from healthcare professionals is crucial for identifying and addressing potential complications. Digital solutions can facilitate this communication through app notifications, secure SMS texts, or virtual consultations. This ensures that women receive timely guidance and support throughout their entire healthcare journey.

Pager Health and League have become the first healthcare companies to offer a maternal care solution to health system and payer customers as Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) via the Google Cloud Marketplace.

This solution represents a powerful shift toward a more patient-centric and equitable model of care. It’s proof that technology, when thoughtfully designed and implemented, can be a force for good in maternal health and beyond.

“Solutions like this put the right information and resources into every expecting or new mother’s hands, which can identify certain risks long before they’re a concern. By empowering mothers with information about their health, they can be better advocates for themselves and get care before a concern or a symptom becomes a real problem. Closing these care gaps will ultimately save lives.”, Dr. Young-Lin adds.

A call for thoughtful progress

As revolutionary as these technologies can be, it’s essential to remember that the tech industry’s move-fast-and-break-things mantra does not apply when it comes to healthcare. While we celebrate the transformative potential of technology, we must also approach its implementation with a critical eye.

Ensuring equitable access to technology, safeguarding patient privacy, and addressing potential biases in algorithms are paramount.

It’s also important to note that while the progress made here is encouraging, it is far from mature. There is so much potential for technology to improve the quality of maternal care, but it will require harnessing the expertise, efforts, and technology of many different organizations.

Moreover, technology should never replace the human touch in healthcare. While digital tools can offer invaluable support and convenience, they cannot replicate the empathy and connection of in-person care. Technology should exist to amplify and strengthen, not replace, the patient-provider relationships that are essential to holistic wellbeing.

A future where every mother thrives

The maternal care crisis in the U.S. is complex, but it is not insurmountable. Technology, with its potential to enhance accessibility, personalize care, and empower women, offers a path forward.

Dr. Young-Lin’s thoughts align: “The most practical things we can improve — especially with technology — are access to care, care navigation, and patient education. These are solvable and scalable right now, and it would make a significant positive impact on maternal care outcomes.”

By embracing innovation and prioritizing equity, we can rewrite the narrative of maternal health in America. We can bridge the gaps in care and ensure that every mother and baby has the support they need not just to survive, but to thrive. This is not just about better health outcomes – it's about building a more just and compassionate system of care for all.

Still curious? You can read more about League and Pager Health's innovative collaboration.