I PROMOTE-IL

Innovations to ImPROve Maternal OuTcomEs in Illinois

Data Projects (2019-2024)

A goal of I PROMOTE-IL was to improve the collection, analysis, and application of state-level data on maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity. We collaborated with the Illinois Department of Public Health to share key findings on maternal mortality and morbidity by hosting presentations and disseminating published reports to members of the Illinois Maternal Health Task Force and other stakeholders.

The Illinois Maternal Health Task Force identified Maternal Health Data for Action as a strategic priority area with the objective of increasing awareness, access, and use of maternal health data resources to inform efforts to reduce severe maternal morbidity and maternal mortality. Emphasis was on promoting existing data resources and where feasible, adapting these resources to better meet the needs of partners working to improve maternal health. Learn more about the Maternal Health Data for Action Committee here.

I PROMOTE-IL led several data projects described below.

The Illinois Maternal Health County Profiles is a new tool to view multiple indicators of women’s health at the county level. I PROMOTE-IL worked with partners to select relevant, reliable, and accessible indicators to provide an interactive resource to maternal and child health stakeholders in Illinois. This resource is unique in that it provides multiple indicators together  in one place, allowing the user of the Profiles  a snapshot of maternal health status at the county level. Visit the County Profiles tool here. Last updated September 2024.

I PROMOTE-IL contracted with StoryCenter to conduct the Illinois Maternal Health Digital Storytelling Project in 2021 and 2022. This project provided new perspectives on maternal morbidity through the creation and dissemination of ten digital stories from Illinois women. In 2023, a facilitation guide was created to help partners use the digital stories as part of events or within training or teaching environments. View the Maternal Health Digital Stories here.

A key recommendation from Illinois’ Maternal Mortality Review Committees is to increase awareness of warning signs of complications occurring through the first year postpartum. More standardized, population-based information is required to describe reach of educational efforts and quantify need going forward. The Illinois Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) is a population-based survey used to understand the behaviors and experiences of birthing persons before, during and immediately after pregnancy. However, there are currently no PRAMS questions which address warning signs. I PROMOTE-IL drafted questions about urgent maternal warning signs and emergency department use and conducted field testing of these questions, a necessary step in the process of adding this content to the state questionnaire. Questions about urgent warning signs were included as part of the PRAMS Phase 9 Core Questionnaire (asked in all states/jurisdictions) which began in 2023. The question about emergency department usage developed and piloted by I PROMOTE-IL was included on the Illinois PRAMS Phase 9 Questionnaire as state-added content.

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