Accelerating Maternal Health: Drive Health and Google Collaborate with Illinois on Innovative AI Solutions | Femtech Insider

Drive Health and Google Public Sector are teaming up with the State of Illinois to launch a promising pilot program called Healthy Baby. This initiative aims to provide AI-driven maternal health support to communities in rural Cook County that often lack access to such services.

Set to engage over 56,000 participants, the program gives expectant mothers Google Pixel phones and Fitbit devices to connect with an AI assistant named Nurse Avery. The goal? Lower maternal mortality rates, improve birth outcomes, and ensure more healthy full-term pregnancies, all while cutting healthcare costs.

Kevin Longoria, CEO of Drive Health, emphasizes that their mission is to use technology to improve healthcare access. “Launching Healthy Baby is an important step in supporting the most vulnerable populations,” he said.

This initiative comes at a crucial time. Many high-risk mothers on Medicaid struggle to get consistent prenatal care; only about 25% do. Alarmingly, about 40% of pregnant women in these populations have untreated behavioral health conditions. In Illinois, many areas are labeled as maternal care deserts, highlighting the urgent need for assistance.

Chris Hein, Field Chief Technology Officer at Google Public Sector, notes, “The Healthy Baby pilot shows how AI can offer personalized health support to underserved mothers.” Nurse Avery helps manage appointments, monitor vital signs, and provide health tips in real-time.

The program targets women in ClCook County who are planning families, expectant mothers, and those with young children. Participants will use the Google Pixel 8a to chat with Nurse Avery and the Fitbit Inspire 3 to track their health metrics like physical activity, heart rate, and sleep patterns.

Nurse Avery offers a host of services including nutritional guidance, vaccination reminders, and support for chronic conditions. The AI platform is designed to prioritize accessibility, featuring voice commands, and operates under strict privacy regulations to ensure user security.

Recent statistics reveal that over 80% of maternal deaths could be prevented with proper care. Babies born to mothers without prenatal care face a fivefold risk of death, according to the Office on Women’s Health. This underscores the importance of initiatives like Healthy Baby.

The program stands on a robust Google Cloud infrastructure that meets state and federal data security standards, ensuring that sensitive information remains protected while delivering personalized care recommendations. By leveraging technology, Healthy Baby aims to make a positive impact on maternal health for those who need it most.

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