The walkway from the fountain to Blue Ridge Dorm had large and graphic displays of fetuses and information on mortality rates of mothers during pregnancy. Many WCU students were commenting on the posters.
This was part of the program from the Endowment for Maternal-Fetal Health (MFH) to educate students about maternal mortality rates.
MFH is an organization that is focused on spreading information about the health of mothers and fetuses during pregnancy. On their website they have multiple pieces to promote the education of maternal and fetal health, like a pregnancy tracker and multiple public service announcements.
Brad Martel, a project manager for MFH, brought the exhibit to WCU to educate students on the growing U.S. public health crisis of maternal and fetal mortality.
WCU is not the only campus that MFH is bringing exhibits to.
“We are looking for colleges and universities all around, and we’ve been to many of them as well,” Martel said. “This fall, this looked like a good opportunity, and the administration here was good to work with.”
Martel brought these signs to help tell people about issues with fetal and maternal health.
“This project raises awareness of issues, the crisis in maternal and fetal health, and these signs are about that,” Martel said.
The signs posted around the exhibit included information and research on maternal and fetal health in the U.S.
According to a report by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, women of color experience higher rates of pregnancy-related complications and are at a higher risk of challenges with pregnancy and adverse health outcomes.
“We have a sign that says that America has the worst maternal mortality rate in the developed world,” Martel said. “We also have a sign that explains that minority women are affected much worse than the general population.”
According to the Rockefeller Institute, the U.S. has a maternal mortality rate that is three times higher than in any other developed country.
Multiple students stopped by and talked with representatives from the MFH.
Martel encourages students to read the signs and learn more about this public health crisis.
“I encourage people to take pictures as they walk past,” Martel said. “We just want them to learn more about this and try to find ways to help.”
Correction: This article has been updated. The initial story listed the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM) as organizer of the event. The Endowment for Maternal-Fetal Health (MFH).
