By Laura Gasque

University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Nursing Associate Professor and Assistant Dean of Clinical and Community Programs Christian Ketel, DNP, RN, FNAP, has received a four-year, $1.2 million grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration to build a statewide consortium to address critical maternal and infant health disparities in Alabama’s rural communities. The Rural Maternal Disparities Consortium will create a collaborative network of health care providers, community organizations and policy advocates supported by the Alabama Department of Public Health.

“The state’s maternal and infant mortality rates are among the highest in the nation, and we need to leverage innovative strategies, community engagement and interprofessional collaboration to help improve outcomes,” Ketel said. “The RMDC will drive the expansion of the maternal health care access and coordination across rural Alabama, addressing systemic barriers that perpetuate health inequities.”

The RMDC will serve as a foundational structure to coordinate efforts among local clinics, hospitals, behavioral health providers and social service agencies to create a seamless care experience for pregnant women and new mothers. The efforts include utilizing mobile health clinics, like the School’s Moms and Kids Mobile Health Clinic and home visitation programs like the Nurse-Family Partnership of Greater Alabama to provide services directly to rural patients and integrate behavioral health, prenatal care and breastfeeding support.

The RMDC also will leverage input from the local communities to identify priority areas, co-create solutions and adapt strategies in real-time. Through regular meetings, focus groups and public forums, the RMDC will establish a feedback loop that allows for the continuous refinement of program activities and outcomes. This approach ensures that interventions remain relevant and sustainable while fostering community trust and ownership of the solutions.

“We want to see measurable improvements in maternal and infant health outcomes with our work, and we’re hopeful this initiative that incorporates both evidence-based practices and innovative approaches will help address the unique challenges of rural Alabama,” Ketel said.

The goal is to build the RMDC and engage at least 44 of the state’s 55 rural counties by 2029.