Georgia Launches New Think Tank to Achieve Maternal Health Vitality
Dear HMHBGA Community:
Today, we want to share the exciting news of the launch of the Maternal Health Vitality Think Tank (MHVTT), the first of its kind in Georgia. Together, this group will advance work to ensure that every family in the state experiences healthy pregnancies, safe childbirth, and dignified recovery. While meaningful progress has been made to improve maternal health in Georgia, there is still much to be done. The MHVTT will help unlock essential cross-sector collaborations to advance systems-level solutions.
Momentum Toward Maternal Vitality
Over the past decade, Georgia has achieved meaningful progress towards this goal-- post-partum Medicaid extension and the rollout of cardiac safety bundles-- but many challenges remain. Georgia ranks among the bottom 10 states nationally in maternal mortality, with Black and rural Georgians disproportionately impacted.
MHVTT builds on Georgia's strengths while addressing these challenges through coordinated, systems-focused action.
A Unified Resource for Systems Change Across Georgia
The MHVTT brings together healthcare providers, public health officials, community organizations, including HMHBGA, academic institutions, policymakers, and philanthropic partners — all committed to transforming the systems that shape maternal health outcomes in the state.
HMHBGA is proud to be a part of this important collaboration to support systems change and build on our ongoing work to realize a Georgia where all can thrive.
As a Think Tank, MHVTT operates as a strategic coordination platform supporting upstream change across key priority areas:
Strengthening Care Coordination – Improving coordination across medical, public health, and social service systems to ensure trauma-informed support throughout pregnancy and postpartum.
Developing the Workforce – Supporting recruitment, retention, and full scope of practice for the diverse perinatal workforce.
Aligning Funding – Coordinating federal, state, local, and private funding streams to reduce fragmentation and increase sustainability.
A Vision for Every Georgia Family
The MHVTT is grounded in a clear vision: a state where everyone has access to respectful, evidence-based, cost-effective healthcare, including access to support and resources with dignity and compassion.
Maternal Health Vitality is the outcome of healthy pregnancies, safe childbirth, and restorative postnatal care with the strength, energy, and capacity to maintain overall health and wellness. At its core, maternal health vitality is about lived experience. It means designing systems that protect safety, honor humanity, and create space for joy for families across Georgia.
At HMHBGA, we are proud to be part of the Maternal Health Vitality Think Tank. This collaboration strengthens our work in advocacy, education, perinatal workforce development, and connecting families to trusted resources. Through MHVTT, we will help bring the voices of those we serve into this shared effort and ensure their experiences continue to inform progress across Georgia.
Learn more and explore resources at: MaternalVitalityGA.org .
Respectfully,
Margaret Master
margaret.master@hmhbga.org