Britt joins push for long-term funding for maternal mortality research – AL.com

Report on the NIH IMPROVE Act and its Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction: Advancing SDG 3 – Good Health and Well-being

A bipartisan legislative effort has been reintroduced in the U.S. Senate to secure consistent funding for research on maternal mortality and care, directly addressing key targets within the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). U.S. Senators Katie Britt and Cory Booker have put forward the NIH IMPROVE Act, a measure designed to support the National Institutes of Health (NIH) “Implementing a Maternal Health and Pregnancy Outcomes Vision for Everyone (IMPROVE) Initiative.” This initiative is fundamentally aligned with SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), particularly Target 3.1, which aims to reduce the global maternal mortality ratio.

Legislative Objectives and Funding

The NIH IMPROVE Act seeks to authorize a sustained funding source for critical maternal health research, which is currently lacking. The primary objectives of the proposed legislation are:

• To authorize $53.4 million annually for seven years to carry out the IMPROVE Initiative.
• To support research into the preventable causes of maternal deaths and severe morbidity.
• To improve the quality of health care for women before, during, and after pregnancy.
• To build an evidence base for enhanced care and outcomes, especially in underserved “maternal care deserts.”

Addressing Disparities: A Focus on SDG 10 and SDG 5

The act places significant emphasis on reducing health disparities, a core component of SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) and essential for achieving SDG 5 (Gender Equality). Current data highlights the urgency of this initiative:

1. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report nearly 700 pregnancy-related deaths annually in the U.S., with an estimated 80% being preventable.
2. A 2025 March of Dimes report card gave the U.S. a D+ grade for preterm birth rates, ranking it among the most dangerous developed nations for childbirth.
3. Significant regional and demographic disparities exist. For example, Alabama received an F grade, with one of the nation’s highest maternal mortality rates at 59.7 deaths per 100,000 births.
4. The burden of maternal mortality disproportionately affects women in specific communities, including Black women, Native American women, and those residing in rural areas.

By targeting research to understand and mitigate these disparities, the act aims to create more equitable health outcomes for all mothers.

Bipartisan Partnership for the Goals: An Example of SDG 17

The reintroduction of the NIH IMPROVE Act exemplifies SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). The legislation is a collaborative, bipartisan effort, with a companion bill introduced in the House of Representatives by Rep. Lauren Underwood and Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick. This cross-party cooperation underscores a shared commitment to addressing the maternal health crisis and demonstrates the type of partnership necessary to achieve ambitious public health and sustainable development targets.

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

• The entire article focuses on improving maternal health and reducing maternal mortality, which is a central component of SDG 3. The reintroduction of the “NIH IMPROVE Act” is aimed at funding research to “reduce preventable causes of maternal deaths and improve health care for women before, during, and after pregnancy.”

SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

• The article explicitly points out health disparities. It states that the research funded by the act would “target disparities associated with maternal mortality and severe morbidity.” It further quotes Senator Britt saying the high maternal mortality rate “disproportionately affects black women, Native American women, women in rural areas,” directly connecting the issue to inequality based on race and geography.

SDG 5: Gender Equality

• While not the primary focus, improving maternal health is fundamental to gender equality. The article’s subject is exclusively about the health of women, and ensuring their well-being during pregnancy and childbirth is a critical aspect of empowering women and ensuring their right to health.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

• Target 3.1: “By 2030, reduce the global maternal mortality ratio to less than 70 per 100,000 live births.” The article is centered on this target, highlighting the high maternal mortality rate in the U.S. (“nearly 700 pregnancy-related deaths each year”) and specifically in Alabama (“59.7 deaths per 100,000 births”). The legislation’s goal is to fund research to reduce these deaths.
• Target 3.2: “By 2030, end preventable deaths of newborns and children under 5 years of age…” The article touches upon this by mentioning the March of Dimes report card, which addresses “maternal and infant mortality and morbidity” and gives the U.S. a “D+ in preterm birth rates,” a key factor in infant health.
• Target 3.8: “Achieve universal health coverage, including… access to quality essential health-care services…” The article identifies a major barrier to this target by describing “maternity care deserts” in Alabama, defined as “areas without access to birthing facilities or maternity care providers.” The closure of labor and delivery departments in several counties is a concrete example of diminishing access to essential services.

SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

• Target 10.2: “By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of… race, ethnicity, origin… or other status.” The article directly relates to this by noting that the NIH IMPROVE Act aims to “target disparities” and that maternal mortality disproportionately affects specific racial groups (“black women, Native American women”) and those in “rural areas.”

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Indicators for SDG 3

• Maternal Mortality Ratio (Indicator 3.1.1): The article explicitly provides this indicator. It states Alabama’s rate is “59.7 deaths per 100,000 births” and notes the national total is “nearly 700 pregnancy-related deaths each year.” Tracking this number would be the primary way to measure progress.
• Proportion of Preventable Deaths: The article states that “80% of those deaths are preventable.” A reduction in this percentage would be a key indicator of improved healthcare quality and outcomes.
• Preterm Birth Rate: The article mentions the U.S. earned a “D+ in preterm birth rates.” This rate is a specific indicator related to both maternal and infant health (Target 3.2).
• Access to Maternity Care Services: The article implies indicators for access to care (Target 3.8) through its discussion of “maternity care deserts.” The number or percentage of counties classified as such, and the number of available labor and delivery departments, serve as direct measures of access to essential services.

Indicators for SDG 10

• Disaggregated Health Data: The article implies the need for indicators disaggregated by race and location. The statement that mortality “disproportionately affects black women, Native American women, women in rural areas” points to the need to measure the maternal mortality ratio for these specific demographic groups to track progress in reducing inequalities (Target 10.2).

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: al.com