A statewide collaborative of health care providers, public health leaders, researchers, philanthropy, and community-based organizations has announced the launch of a new Maternal Health Vitality Think Tank (MHVTT). Designed to coordinate systems-level solutions and advance maternal vitality across Georgia, the think tank aims to bridge gaps across partner organizations and sectors to strengthen the state's maternal health ecosystem.
Georgia ranks among the bottom 10 states nationally in maternal mortality, a persistent challenge that has prompted various initiatives. However, according to the collaborative, ongoing reliance on isolated programs or single-sector solutions has hindered sustained improvement. The creation of the MHVTT is a response to this fragmentation, providing infrastructure to connect existing efforts and drive statewide impact.
“The Maternal Health Vitality Think Tank isn’t about creating yet another program—it’s about connecting what already exists,” said Kristy Klein Davis, President and CEO of the Georgia Health Initiative. “It creates the infrastructure to bring existing efforts together, helping us understand the full landscape, build on what’s working, and collaborate more effectively to drive lasting, statewide impact. Maternal health is a systems issue that demands systems-level collaboration.”
Convened by the Georgia Health Initiative, the MHVTT unites cross-sector leaders around a shared vision: a Georgia where every family can experience maternal vitality through healthy pregnancies, safe childbirth, and dignified recovery. The focus on vitality, rather than death or near misses, underscores a commitment to families thriving, not just surviving.
Alison Rodden, CEO and Chief Strategist at HCN Global, highlighted the importance of coordinated support. “As a mother here in Georgia, I know firsthand the importance of having access to coordinated, culturally responsive maternal health support,” she said. “When we bring diverse perspectives together with strategic communications, we create the conditions for real systems change that ensures every mother and baby in our state can thrive.”
The MHVTT focuses on three immediate priorities: coordinated, trauma-informed care; workforce development; and aligned public and private financing for systems-level change. The think tank's newly launched website, MaternalVitalityGa.org, provides details on these strategic aims and serves as a resource hub for research, coordinated strategy, and aligned investments.
United by the principle of “stronger together,” the MHVTT partners include organizations such as the Annie E. Casey Foundation, Emory University, Morehouse School of Medicine – Center for Maternal Health Equity, and the Black Mamas Matter Alliance, among others. The collaborative aims to transform the systems that shape maternal health in Georgia, driving changes in care coordination, workforce strengthening, and funding innovative solutions.
