Rural pregnancy and infant healthcare pilot program launches in Clinton County | Health

Lock Haven, Pa. — Pa. Department of Health Secretary Dr. Debra Bogen visited the State Health Center in Lock Haven to announce the start of a new pilot project aimed at improving healthcare for pregnant women and babies in rural areas.
The project invests over $1.3 million across two years, and includes a partnership with UPMC in North Central Pa. and other regional healthcare providers. The pilot program will develop a model for providing physical, mental, emotional, and social health resources for women in rural areas.
Other local partners include the YMCA, WIC, and members from Safe Kids PA Lycoming County and Lycoming County Cribs for Kids, who are committed to preventing injuries to children through education, collaboration, and advocacy.
Dr. Bogen was joined by Lycoming County’s Chief Deputy Coroner Kathryn Kiessling during the announcement. The Kiessling family has been deeply involved with Safe Kids PA and Cribs for Kids. The Kiesslings spearheaded the movement to implement Infant Safe Sleep Month throughout Lycoming County.
“For too many people in Pennsylvania in both rural and urban areas, access to maternal health care is an ongoing challenge. Hospital closures throughout the Commonwealth are leaving women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant with fewer choices in health care providers and are forcing people to travel longer distances for their appointments and to deliver their baby,” said Department of Human Services Secretary Dr. Val Arkoosh. “That is why this pilot program is so important, and DHS is proud to partner with the Department of Health, local health care providers, and health systems to make sure that women are getting high-quality care close to home and parents and their children have the best start as a healthy family.”
The project officially began with a community baby shower-themed open house at the State Health Center (SHC) in Lock Haven. The SHC offers basic prenatal services such as health assessments and vital sign monitoring, pregnancy testing, prenatal vitamins, educational sessions, and medical or social service referrals as needed.
“I am hopeful that today’s event will showcase an innovative model of care and inspire others to adopt similar approaches across the state,” said UPMC in North Central Pennsylvania President Patti Jackson-Gehris. “We are grateful to be able to partner with the state in support of this pilot program. Today’s event is just the beginning of a larger, ongoing dialogue aimed at developing sustainable solutions to ensure every woman has access to the care she deserves.”
Clinton County was selected for this pilot due to the limited number of obstetric gynecology providers and long distance to the closest birthing facilities. The community health nurses involved in the pilot have extensive experience in pregnancy and newborn care, and UPMC and other regional organizations can ensure that successful program aspects can be duplicated in other places.
Maternal mortality is a national concern, especially due to a rising death rate in recent years. In Pennsylvania in 2020, there were 83 reported pregnancy-associated deaths per 100,000 live births; 107 Pennsylvanians lost their lives during pregnancy, delivery, or within one year postpartum.
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