Touro University Nevada Receives $2.6 Million Grant From United Health Foundation to Improve Maternal Health, Reduce Disparities
The United Health Foundation, the philanthropic foundation of UnitedHealth Group is partnering with Touro University Nevada, Nevada’s largest medical school and its only school of osteopathic medicine, to improve access to high-quality prenatal care for underserved and homeless women in southern Nevada.
The three-year, $2.6 million partnership will help reduce maternal health disparities and increase the state’s OB-GYN and family medicine physician workforce.
According to America’s Health Rankings’ latest Health of Women and Children Data 2020 Update, Nevada ranks 37th for women receiving adequate prenatal care. Nevada also has a comparatively low number of women’s health providers, ranking 46th. Infant mortality has risen 14% in the past four years in Nevada, the most recent data show.
“Nevada clearly needs more providers who specialize in women’s health to help expand access to prenatal care in underserved communities,” said Dr. Laurine Tibaldi, chief medical officer, UnitedHealthcare of Nevada. “Our partnership with Touro University Nevada College of Osteopathic Medicine will help fill that gap and prepare a new generation of health care providers who are better able to recognize and treat the distinct health needs of expectant mothers.”
As part of the new partnership, Touro will bring free prenatal screening and care to approximately 1,700 underserved women in Nevada using Touro’s Mobile Healthcare Clinic, equipped with handheld ultrasound devices and staffed by Touro physicians, nurses and medical students. Funding will also support medical student training, including the development of new medical school curriculum to provide hands-on prenatal care education to all first-year medical students.
“We are grateful to the United Health Foundation for its partnership and generous support of this important initiative,” said Dr. Wolfgang Gilliar, Dean of Touro University Nevada’s College of Osteopathic Medicine. “Together, we will better meet the critical health care needs of expectant mothers, reduce maternal health disparities and improve access to prenatal care in southern Nevada.”
UnitedHealth Group is committed to improving the health of mothers and newborns, raising awareness for improved maternal health, and reducing the occurrence of avoidable maternal and infant morbidity and mortality.
UnitedHealthcare’s Healthy Pregnancy and Maternity Support programs provide resources and services to help expectant mothers get the most out of their benefits, make informed decisions, and promote dialogue with care providers. The company is also actively addressing disparities in maternal health outcomes by providing coursework in partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morehouse School of Medicine, and the March of Dimes.
