In the midst of one of the world’s most advanced healthcare systems, a persistent crisis continues to claim the lives of mothers and birthing people at concerning rates. Despite its technological advancements, the United States holds the highest maternal mortality rate among developed nations.
In an interview for the Empowered Patient Podcast, Lora Sparkman, MHA, BSN, RN, Partner for Clinical Solutions and Vice President for Safety and Quality at Relias, talks about the deep-rooted challenges of maternal health in the U.S. and how technology can transform the field.
Understanding the maternal mortality crisis
The statistics are alarming. According to Sparkman, data from 2021-2022 shows that the maternal mortality rate in the U.S. is 32.9 deaths per 100,000 live births — a stark contrast to the two to three deaths per 100,000 live births in countries like Japan, Austria, and Spain.
The racial disparities in these numbers are even more alarming: Black and Brown women die at much higher rates than White women during and after childbirth. Sparkman highlights a mix of clinical issues — like obstetric hemorrhage and hypertensive disorders — and larger social factors, such as limited healthcare access, maternal depression, and untreated chronic conditions, as reasons for this care gap.
Beyond mortality: The hidden epidemic of maternal morbidity
While much public attention centers on maternal deaths, Sparkman encourages us to consider the larger issue: severe maternal morbidity, which affects 50,000 to 60,000 women each year in the U.S. This includes complications from untreated or undiagnosed conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, infections, and mental health disorders such as anxiety, depression, domestic violence and substance use.
Critically, many of these health issues start before pregnancy or get worse because of it. Sparkman highlights that better outcomes come from improved pre-pregnancy health, consistent care, and targeted actions for at-risk groups. It’s not just about preventing death — it’s about supporting well-being throughout the maternal journey.
The role of standardized, evidence-based care
One of the most effective strategies for reducing maternal health disparities is standardization. Variations in care — especially between rural and urban areas — can sometimes mean the difference between life and death.
Through its clinical education and training programs, Relias has made significant progress in promoting consistency across care settings. “Our work is focused on making sure that physicians, nurses, midwives, or anyone caring for pregnant people are utilizing evidence-based guidelines,” she explains. This includes protocols for managing hypertensive disorders, obstetric hemorrhage, and substance use during pregnancy.
Training is most effective when interdisciplinary teams — physicians, nurses, and other providers — learn together. This shared foundation helps decrease communication failures and makes sure everyone on the care team is aligned.
Training the workforce of tomorrow: The promise of technology
While the need for clinical education is clear, delivering it effectively remains challenging, particularly in a healthcare environment with limited time and resources. That’s where emerging technologies like AI, virtual reality (VR), and augmented reality (AR) become valuable.
Sparkman recognizes that healthcare has been traditionally slow to adopt new technologies. However, change is on the horizon. Relias is investing in advanced learning platforms that enhance not only knowledge retention but also clinical judgment and decision-making.
“Traditional classroom-style instruction has one of the lowest knowledge transfer rates,” she notes. “But immersive, experiential learning — like that offered through VR — enhances cognition, critical thinking, and judgment.”
Such tools not only improve learning but also eliminate geographic barriers. In rural areas where clinical training is often limited, mobile access to AR or VR education offers a vital resource. Sparkman envisions a future where a clinician can perform high-quality, immersive training directly from a smartphone. “Anywhere you can access the internet, you can learn,” she emphasizes.
Addressing racial and geographic disparities
A one-size-fits-all approach won’t work in a country as diverse as the U.S. Sparkman explains that Relias tailors its programs to address unique challenges at the state, county, and city levels. Rural populations comprising 15% of the U.S. often face poorer health outcomes, limited access to quality care, and long travel distances to healthcare facilities.
Federal agencies such as the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) are working to provide state-specific funding to address these disparities. Relias supports these efforts by making care more consistent and equitable, no matter the ZIP code.
Advancing a mission of health equity
Sparkman’s passion for innovation in healthcare comes from her four decades of clinical and strategic experience. “I’ve seen technology save lives,” she says, explaining her personal dedication to transforming care delivery. Relias’ mission aligns with that goal: to empower healthcare teams with the tools, technologies, and training they need to provide high-quality care. The organization applies learning science and brain science to ensure clinicians not only absorb knowledge but also demonstrate it through competency-based outcomes.
Ultimately, she believes success is defined by patient outcomes. “When clinicians show competence and it results in better patient outcomes, we know we’re doing a great job.”
Final thoughts on the maternal health crisis
The maternal health crisis in the U.S. is complex, multi-layered, and deeply rooted — but it is not impossible to solve. By emphasizing standardized care, utilizing new technologies, and addressing the unique needs of different populations, organizations like Relias are leading the way for real change.
Technology alone won’t solve the problem. But when combined with a human-centered, evidence-based approach to training and care, it can help bridge long-standing gaps and save lives.