Arkansas Center for Health Improvement
ACHI Healthy Policy Director Jennifer Wessel talks to KATV about the impact on expectant mothers when a hospital closes its labor and delivery services.
publications
This updated infographic, part of our 100 Arkansans initiative, illustrates demographic and health statistics for Arkansas adults age 18 to 64.
This updated infographic, part of our 100 Arkansans initiative, illustrates demographic and health statistics for Arkansas seniors age 65 or older.
Doulas are professionals trained in childbirth who provide emotional, physical, and other supports to pregnant or recently pregnant women. This updated explainer examines their role in the birthing journey.
Blog Posts
ACHI Healthy Policy Director Jennifer Wessel talks to KATV about the impact on expectant mothers when a hospital closes its labor and delivery services.
Power outages and heat waves are a dangerous combination, turning your home from a refuge to a danger zone. These tips can help you avoid heat-related illnesses if you lose power this summer.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists released new guidance last week supporting collaboration between OB-GYNs and doulas during the birthing journey. The guidance comes as Arkansas implements new certification and health coverage requirements intended to expand access to doula services.
Maternal and infant mortality rates in Arkansas are among the highest in the nation, but a wide range of efforts are underway to change that. The Healthy Birthing Journey Podcast is a nine-part series in which we explore the data and issues behind maternal and infant health in Arkansas by speaking with the people working to improve outcomes for moms and babies across our state.
Each episode focuses on one of nine points on the birthing journey, from pre-pregnancy through delivery and into the postpartum period, where ACHI analysts and researchers have identified opportunities for Arkansas to make lasting improvements.
In the ninth and final episode of the Healthy Birthing Journey Podcast, we explore well-child visits and other efforts to improve infant health outcomes during the first year of life.
Podcast by ACHI
Data can be a powerful component in strategies to improve public health and healthcare outcomes. Research, quality improvement activities, and program development and evaluation all require reliable data infrastructure. That’s why, more than a decade ago, our state established the Arkansas Healthcare Transparency Initiative, which includes an all-payer claims database, or APCD. To learn more about the role of APCDs and similar efforts underway around the country, we are joined on this episode of the Wonks at Work podcast by Kevin McAvey, managing director of Manatt Health in New York and a recognized expert on state data assets.
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Health Policy Board Policy Positions and Statements
ACHI’s Health Policy Board consists of up to 25 voting members (and two ex-officio members) from across the state who bring diverse perspectives and interests on health. This independent, self-perpetuating board identifies and establishes strategic priorities, provides direction and guidance, and serves as a forum for the exchange of ideas. The Health Policy Board guides ACHI’s involvement in and position on specific policy matters, and it issues position statements that articulate the health needs of Arkansans.