As Michigan faces alarming maternal and infant mortality rates, a health care collaborative led by Wayne State University’s Office of Women’s Health on Oct. 28 formally launched the SOS MATERNITY Network, which seeks to end preventable causes of death in mothers and children.

For the first time in Michigan, the state, its leading hospitals, and universities are teaming up with one simple objective: “to stop moms and babies from dying.”

Fourteen of Michigan’s leading health networks and institutions gathered Monday to announce a collaboration funded with state dollars meant to decrease the state’s maternal and infant mortality rates.

The program aims to dramatically reduce premature births and help treat or prevent dangerous conditions during pregnancy, like pre-eclampsia and high blood pressure.

Leaders from across Michigan have united through the SOS MATERNITY Network to address maternal and internal mortality in Michigan.

Detroit PBS aired a segment Thursday (see video featured above) that featured leading health care providers in Southeastern Michigan to find better ways to approach the problem. It also highlighted a new program originating from Wayne State University called the SOS Maternity Network.

One of the University of Michigan Health-Sparrow’s maternal-fetal medicine specialists told 6 News that the report has motivated healthcare providers across the state to improve their care.