Patient navigators significantly improve postpartum care for low-income mothers

One simple addition to postpartum care made a major difference

New mothers paired with patient navigators were much more likely to receive postpartum care, depression screening, preventive testing, and ongoing primary care. By helping with barriers such as transportation, childcare, scheduling, and confusing medical information, navigators may provide a powerful way to improve women’s long-term health.

Patient navigators significantly improve postpartum care for low-income mothers

While the transition to motherhood can be challenging for anyone, barriers such as inadequate health literacy, unreliable transportation, navigating a complex health care system, limited access to childcare or insecure housing can be the tipping point between a new mom accessing needed care or going without it.

Patient navigators help new moms overcome postpartum care barriers

A new Northwestern Medicine study has found patient navigators — trained guides who help patients access care and resources while working alongside the healthcare team — can ease the challenging transition to motherhood for low-income pregnant individuals, leading to better health in their postpartum period and more consistent primary care for years to come.