Philips Foundation and March of Dimes partner to improve prenatal care access in underserved communities, helping address US maternal and infant health challenges

April 4, 2024

  

Mom & Baby Mobile Health Centers offering ultrasound screenings to expectant moms in Phoenix, Tucson, and Washington, DC

Amsterdam, the Netherlands, and Arlington, VA – , with its mission to provide access to quality healthcare for 100 million people a year in underserved communities by 2030, is facilitating access to prenatal care through March of Dimes Mom & Baby Mobile Health Centers® in Phoenix, Tucson and Washington, DC. Through the partnership, Philips will provide point-of-care ultrasound technology with telehealth capabilities in three mobile health centers as well as support staffing and operational needs and provide allowances for local healthcare partners and community health workers.

In comparison to other high-income countries, the US still faces the rate. While consistent, high-quality prenatal care is an essential component of maternal health and positive birth outcomes, more than in the US each year. Mobile healthcare delivery is a to improve access to care. who sought care at mobile health clinics reported feeling more confident to navigate the broader healthcare systems’ complex medical scheduling and billing processes.

The mobile clinics are staffed by local healthcare workers, and March of Dimes also engages local clinical partners to provide care, education, and support in communities with little or no access to maternity care. The initiative ensures sustainability and scalability by complementing technology with essential training for staff, creating a model for quality maternal care that can be expanded across underserved communities.

“Philips is a highly regarded healthcare technology company and we’re pleased to partner with Philips Foundation to ensure that every mom and baby gets the best possible start,” said Dr. Elizabeth Cherot, March of Dimes President and CEO. “Together, we are ushering in a new chapter of innovation within maternal and infant mobile health by delivering advanced ultrasound technology to the doorstep of moms in Phoenix, Tucson and Washington, DC.”

Routine ultrasounds to check a fetus’s health and development, monitor the pregnancy, and detect congenital anomalies , yet nearly don’t have any hospitals with obstetric services. The addition of tele-ultrasound will not only provide imaging to help assess and monitor prenatal health risks, but also allow providers the unique ability to collaborate in real time, enhancing the level of prenatal care a pregnant woman receives. From sharing diagnostic information on a patient remotely, to connecting with high-risk obstetric providers at the hospital through telehealth technology, the devices allow local clinical staff and community health workers to ensure quality care and improve outcomes for patients.

“Every expectant mother should have access to maternal care, yet this is far from reality today. We simply cannot—and should not—accept the high maternal mortality rates in this country as the status quo. Delivering game-changing maternal care, especially in underserved communities, is going to take a collective effort to innovate and implement solutions that prioritize the health and safety of all moms,” said Jeff DiLullo, chief region leader, Philips North America. “We hope our partnership with March of Dimes—delivering care right into the communities most in need—will serve as an inspiring and scalable model for what’s possible, providing better care for more people.”

For more information on the Phoenix, Tucson, and Washington, DC centers, as well as information on locations, visit the .

For further information, please contact:

Avi Dines

Philips North America

Tel.: (781) 690-3814

Email:

Sarah Smith

March of Dimes

Tel.: 202-774-0554

Email:

About Philips Foundation

Philips Foundation is a registered non-profit organization established in 2014 - with a mission to provide access to quality healthcare for underserved communities across the globe. By leveraging Philips’ capabilities and combining them with the experience and expertise of non-governmental organizations and other community-focused and impact-driven enterprises, Philips Foundation helps create innovative pathways to open up affordable healthcare for communities most in need. By also partnering with innovative social entrepreneurs rooted in the local ecosystem, Philips Foundation aims to increase access to healthcare for 100 million people a year by 2030. More information can be found at

About Royal Philips

Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA) is a leading health technology company focused on improving people's health and well-being through meaningful innovation. Philips’ patient- and people-centric innovation leverages advanced technology and deep clinical and consumer insights to deliver personal health solutions for consumers and professional health solutions for healthcare providers and their patients in the hospital and the home. Headquartered in the Netherlands, the company is a leader in diagnostic imaging, ultrasound, image-guided therapy, monitoring, and enterprise informatics, as well as in personal health. Philips generated 2023 sales of EUR 18.2 billion and employs approximately 69,700 employees with sales and services in more than 100 countries. News about Philips can be found at .

About March of Dimes

March of Dimes leads the fight for the health of all moms and babies. We support research, lead programs and provide education and advocacy so that every family can get the best possible start. Since 1938, we’ve built a successful legacy to support every pregnant person and every family. To learn more about March of Dimes, please visit .

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