Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Supervisor Lisa Gauthier, District 4
Subject: Authorization to establish a Maternal Health Trust Fund to Support Maternal Health Awareness
RECOMMENDATION:
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Adopt a resolution:
A) Authorizing and establishing the Maternal Health Trust Fund to support maternal health awareness and community engagement initiatives in San Mateo County and to serve as a mechanism for receiving future philanthropic and partner contributions; and
B) Authorizing and directing the County Executive, or designee, to accept on behalf of the County, future lawful gifts, grants, and donations from public and private partners to the Maternal Health Trust Fund, and to report to the Board each quarter the sources and value of such gifts in excess of $10,000.
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BACKGROUND:
Maternal and infant health outcomes remain a critical public health priority across the United States and in California. While California has made significant progress in reducing maternal mortality overall, disparities in maternal and infant health outcomes persist across racial and ethnic groups.
In San Mateo County, inequities in birth outcomes are also present. Black residents represent a small but significant portion of the county’s population, yet disparities persist across multiple health indicators. County and regional public health consistently report that Black infants experience higher rates of preterm birth, low birth weight, and adverse birth outcomes compared to other racial and ethnic groups.
County and regional public health data also show that Latina mothers experience the highest infant mortality rates in San Mateo County, representing a significant disparity even though statewide data may reflect different patterns across racial and ethnic groups. These local trends highlight the importance of examining and addressing disparities at the county level to ensure that all families have equitable opportunities for healthy pregnancies and births.
Research has demonstrated that these disparities are not solely explained by socioeconomic status, education, or access to health insurance. Instead, they are influenced by a complex set of structural and systemic factors including inequities in access to quality healthcare, chronic stress associated with systemic bias and discrimination, barriers to culturally responsive care, and gaps in access to behavioral health and supportive services.
These disparities underscore the importance of coordinated efforts across healthcare systems, public health agencies, and community-based organizations to address the root causes of inequities in maternal and infant health outcomes. In the County, improving maternal health equity presents an important opportunity for collaboration among public health leaders, healthcare providers, and community organizations to strengthen prevention strategies, improve quality of care, and expand culturally responsive support services for pregnant and postpartum residents.
To further support these efforts, staff proposes the establishment of a Maternal Health Trust Fund. This fund will serve as a dedicated mechanism to receive philanthropic contributions, grant funding, and community investments that support education, community engagement, and collaborative initiatives aimed at improving maternal and infant health outcomes across the County.
DISCUSSION:
The proposed Maternal Health Trust Fund will allow San Mateo County to accept donations and contributions and allocate such funding dedicated to community-centered maternal health programming and initiatives that promote equitable birth outcomes.
Initial activities supported through this funding will focus on increasing awareness of maternal and infant health disparities and strengthening partnerships between healthcare systems, public health agencies, and community organizations that serve pregnant and parenting families.
These efforts align with several local priorities identified through engagement with community leaders, healthcare providers, and maternal health advocates. Key priorities include:
1. Expanding public awareness of disparities in maternal and infant health outcomes in the County, particularly those affecting Black and Latinx families.
2. Increasing access to culturally responsive and community-informed support services for pregnant and postpartum residents.
3. Promoting collaboration across healthcare systems and community organizations to identify strategies that improve quality of care and reduce the impact of implicit bias and systemic barriers in perinatal care settings.
The Maternal Health Trust Fund will support community education initiatives, convenings, and public events designed to bring together healthcare providers, public health professionals, community advocates, and residents to engage in dialogue and identify solutions that support healthier pregnancies and births.
Staff are planning an event to launch the Maternal Health Trust Fund that would include a public film screening and community discussion focused on maternal health inequities, designed to raise awareness and create space for cross-sector collaboration. The event will feature a facilitated conversation with healthcare leaders, community advocates, and public health experts to explore strategies for improving maternal health outcomes in the County.
Over time, the Maternal Health Trust Fund may support additional activities such as:
• Community forums and listening sessions
• Public education focuses on maternal health and birth equity
• Partnerships with community-based organizations serving pregnant and parenting families
• Data and research dissemination to inform policy and systems change
• Training and dialogue opportunities for healthcare providers and community partners
Through these efforts, the County aims to strengthen collaboration across sectors and support a more coordinated approach to improving maternal and infant health outcomes.
The County Attorney has approved the proposed resolution as to form.
COMMUNITY IMPACT:
The proposed actions will foster awareness, community engagement, and partnerships with various organizations and healthcare systems so that all families, regardless of race, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status, have access to safe, respectful, and high-quality maternal care.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The proposed Maternal Health Awareness event is expected to entail costs not to exceed $10,000. The costs of the event will be reimbursed through contributions to the Maternal Health Fund to be established by the proposed Board action.