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RED BATON, La .– (BUSINESS WIRE) – September 11, 2018 – The Women & # 39; s Hospital in Baton Rouge and the United Health Foundation announced today a $ 1.2 million grant over three years to launch an innovative program at Woman's Hospital to meet the needs of pregnant women with opioid addiction and their affected newborns.
This press release features multimedia. View the full version here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180911005868/en/
Baton Rouge President-President Sharon Weston Broome announces the GRACE program to help pregnant women with opioid conditions watch Governor John Bel Edwards and Heather Cianfrocco, CEO of UnitedHealthcare Community & State (Photo: Jeff Strout) .
The new program, called "GRACE" (Guiding Recovery and Creating Empowerment), will help pregnant women by providing comprehensive care coordination services tailored to their needs during and after pregnancy. GRACE works with doctors, social service agencies, hospitals, mental health agencies, the legal system and other community partners to identify pregnant women affected by opioid abuse and connects them to appropriate resources to heal and recover them.
GRACE aims to reduce stigma and prejudice around substance abuse and drug-assisted treatment, provide education and training for hospital staff and reduce the number of neonatal hospitalizations and length of stay.
The Governor of Louisiana, John Bel Edwards, Mayor of Baton Rouge, Sharon Weston Broome, and Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health, Dr. Rebekah Gee, announced the grant to Teri Fontenot, President and Chief Executive Officer at Hospital for Women Baton Rouge.
"Instead of the steady stream of discouraging data we have unfortunately used to hear regarding opioids, it is now an honor and a pleasure to help put in place light the possible solutions to opioid addiction, "said Governor Edwards. "I hope that intelligent and patient-centered treatment options such as GRACE will help reverse the huge problem that continues to plague our country and our country.I am proud to collaborate with Woman & # 39; s Hospital and the United Health Foundation., Which I hope can serve as a model for the rest of the country.
Once admitted to the GRACE program, patients will participate in a comprehensive assessment to assess their medical, mental health and psychosocial history. Once the training is over, participants work with a care provider to develop a care plan tailored to their needs, followed by training on assisted treatment, work, breastfeeding, the syndrome of 39, neonatal abstinence, plus. As participants progress through the program, they will receive regular phone calls and receive community resources for housing, food, transportation, education, job training, etc.
"The GRACE program helps mothers affected by opioid addiction by providing them with a roadmap for recovery and a healthy baby," said Fontenot. "Together, we are building a network to effectively manage care for these patients, helping them to receive health education and provide support."
Louisiana has seen a 46.5% increase in drug-related deaths – from 12.9% to 18.9% per 100,000 people – since 2007, according to the United Health Foundation's US Health Rankings . According to a study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the rate of dependence of pregnant women on opioids at the time of delivery has quadrupled in the last 15 years in 28 states of the country. Maternal dependence can result in low birth weight, whether through premature labor or intrauterine growth restriction. Exposure to opioids in the uterus can have far more serious effects on the health of babies due to NAMs, which can result in a high rate of neurological damage and death due to the neurological impact opioid withdrawal.
"It is imperative to help pregnant women with opioid addiction to get the support they need during and after pregnancy for their health and that of their baby," said Cianfrocco. "We know that this type of service is very much needed across the state and we look forward to supporting Woman's Hospital's ongoing efforts to help build a healthier Louisiana – one person at a time."
In collaboration with the event, employees of UnitedHealthcare and Woman's Hospital organized 200 Infant Gift Bags, which will be distributed to new moms enrolled in the program. Bags include clothing and supplies for newborns and a resource guide for mothers.
For more information on the GRACE program, visit the site.
About the United Health Foundation In collaboration with community partners, grants and advocacy efforts, the United Health Foundation strives to improve our health system, to build a diverse and dynamic health workforce. and to improve the well-being of local communities. The United Health Foundation was established by UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH) in 1999 as a private, not-for-profit foundation dedicated to improving health and health care. To date, the United Health Foundation has committed nearly $ 358 million to programs and communities around the world. We invite you to learn more at www.unitedhealthgroup.com/social-responsibility.html.
About Woman's Hospital Woman's Hospital Baton Rouge, Louisiana, is one of the first specialized hospitals for women and babies. Since opening in 1968, it has welcomed more than 300,000 babies, making it one of the largest delivery services in the country and the largest in Louisiana. In addition, Woman's operates the state's largest neonatal intensive care unit and takes care of extremely premature, critically ill or in need of surgery. The hospital is also recognized for its expertise in mammography as well as for breast cancer and gynecological care. As a private non-profit organization, all funds are reinvested in the hospital to further the mission of Woman to improve the health of women and infants through the latest technologies, a staff highly qualified and with essential community programs and services. For more information, visit www.womans.org.
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See the source version on businesswire.com:https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180911005868/en/
CONTACT: UnitedHealthcare
Jocelyn Parker, 952-931-4265
or
Women's Hospital
Dana Michell, 504-931-2386
KEYWORD: UNITED STATES AMERICA NORTHERN LOUISIANA
KEYWORD IN INDUSTRY: HEALTH HOSPITALS FOR WOMEN PHARMACEUTICAL PROFESSIONAL SERVICES BABY / MATERNITY INSURANCE CONSUMER MANAGED CARE
SOURCE: United Health Foundation
Copyright Business Wire 2018.
PUB: 11/09/2018 18:18 / DISC: 11/09/2018 18h18
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