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Winrock International

Project

MaternaTech 

Funder: Arkansas Economic Development Commission; Walton Family Foundation

Partner: Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield; Baptist Health; Washington Regional Health System

Project Timeline: October 1, 2024 - September 30, 2025

Country: United States

Program Area: U.S. Programs 

Arkansas has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the U.S. according to data from the Centers for Disease Control. This is partly because many Arkansas women, especially those in rural areas, lack access to high-quality healthcare. The problem is compounded by higher-than-average rates of chronic health conditions such as diabetes and hypertension, which contribute to risks during and after pregnancy. Preterm birth rates are also troubling in Arkansas, with Black mothers experiencing a rate 1.5 times higher than other women. 

To address the maternal health crisis in Arkansas, Winrock is leading an accelerator project to advance leading maternal health innovations that improve outcomes while stimulating economic growth and creating high-skilled jobs. A partnership between Winrock International, Baptist Health, Washington Regional Health System and Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield, MaternaTech unites a leader in healthcare business acceleration and two of the state’s largest health care systems with the state’s largest insurer. The alliance aims to drive transformative innovation in maternal health, delivering impactful solutions that address one of the state’s most pressing needs.

The accelerator’s three-part approach will: 

  • Bridge the gap between technology and practice by connecting leading maternal health innovations with healthcare systems and payors, ensuring that new cutting-edge solutions can be adopted and utilized by those on the frontlines of maternal health.
  • Focus on high-risk areas by concentrating on prenatal care, complication prevention, and postpartum support — critical phases where maternal mortality risks are highest.
  • Promote health innovation and economic growth by stimulating economic growth through the creation of high-skilled jobs and supporting startups that can scale their solutions across the state and beyond.