In Arkansas and across the heartland, we are used to solving problems together. That instinct — to step up for our neighbors, to find practical solutions and to work together for our families and our communities — is part of our DNA. It is also exactly what is needed as we confront some of our region’s most urgent health challenges.
Maternal health, mental health and health care workforce shortages are not isolated issues. Yes, they shape health outcomes, but they also importantly shape economic growth, workforce participation and long-term competitiveness.
So why are we so proud at Heartland Forward to wake up every single day as a resource for states and local communities? When faced with challenges and opportunities, we roll up our sleeves and get to work. Take maternal health: the United States has seen maternal mortality more than double over the past four decades, with rural states facing some of the steepest barriers to care. Yet 84% of maternal deaths are preventable. The issue is not a lack of solutions. It is a lack of coordination and execution…