Maternal Health Advocacy & Programs

Tennessee has among the highest maternal and infant mortality rates in the nation, making maternal health a top priority for RHA Members. RHA works to improve maternal health outcomes in rural Tennessee through education, advocacy, and doula workforce development. We provide accessible trainings for families and providers, elevate rural voices to advance supportive policies, and expand the doula workforce by recruiting, training, and mentoring doulas.

Delta Doula Network

RHA is the recipient of a HRSA Federal Office of Rural Health Policy, Delta Regional Maternal Care Coordination Program (Delta MCC). Through this grant, RHA is working to recruit and train Doulas across 18 rural counties in West Tennessee. By expanding access to coordinated, supportive care during pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period, we hope to support better health outcomes for mothers and their babies.

Download the Doula Training Scholarship Application

Advocacy 

RHA supports legislation that advances access to maternal care in rural Tennessee and beyond. View RHA Board Secretary, Dr. Brenda Jones giving testimony to Tennessee's Senate and Labor Commerce Committee on the importance of Doulas on our blog.

RHA Action Center

Resources

• Tennessee Department of Health - Maternal and Child Health
• Rural Health Info Hub - Rural Maternal Health
• March of Dimes - Report on Rural Maternity Care Deserts and Tennessee Report Card
• Association of Infant Mental Health in Tennessee - Training and Events Calendar
• Rural Health Association of Tennessee, Tennessee Delta Asset Map
• Rural Health Association of Tennessee Maternal Health Policy Brief