Transforming the maternal morbidity and mortality surveillance system in Buenos Aires through an inclusive, integrated and intersectional approach

Maternal severe morbidity (illness) and mortality (death) are pivotal indicators encompassing reproductive, sexual and perinatal mental health throughout pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period. Concerns regarding perinatal mental health, a historically overlooked issue, intensified during the pandemic and post-pandemic contexts. Recognizing critical gaps in perinatal mental health and health disparities surveillance, this project seeks to establish a Community-Inclusive, Integrated, and Intersectional Maternal Morbidity and Mortality Surveillance System (C3IM-SS) for the Ministry of Health in the Province of Buenos Aires.

The C3IM-SS will integrate diverse information systems. There will be an emphasis on inclusivity to ensure that the system is built with the active participation of the community, incorporating diverse voices and perspectives to address each unique set of needs. Adopting an intersectional approach, the system will aim to uncover and address health disparities affecting mothers from highly vulnerable groups during the perinatal period. The C3IM-SS aims to become a cutting-edge surveillance system in the Province of Buenos Aires, with potential to be scaled and replicated across Argentina and in other countries.

This project is part of a second cohort of research projects in Latin America and the Caribbean and the Middle East and North Africa to support research on the understudied area of the interface between sexual, reproductive and maternal health and mental health.