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PRESIDENT’S
MESSAGE

Let’s Make

Maternal Health

A Priority

By Sheldon Gross, MD, 2018 BCMS President

Dear Colleagues,

This month’s issue of San Antonio Medicine is focused on maternal health and dealing with the issue of maternal mortality. I would
encourage you to read the multiple thought provoking articles contained in this month’s issue. There is no debate about the importance
of carefully examining the issues involved in maternal mortality and doing everything possible to ensure the health of delivering moth-
ers. At a recent meeting of the Texas Medical Association, our President, Dr. Carlos Cardenas, stated that our goal should be zero
maternal deaths. I agree with that. Upon reading these articles, several things become quite obvious.
First, one cannot isolate the issue of maternal mortality without looking at the entire fabric of our healthcare system and our society
in general. The issue of access to care is fundamental in this discussion. Without ensuring that all mothers have access to the best pre-
natal care possible, we will never make the type of progress that we would like to see. This involves our state and federal legislatures.
This involves funding mechanisms on a county, state, and national level. This involves the political will to ensure that all Americans
have access to care. This also explains why so many physicians feel the importance of involvement in our political and legislative
system.
Secondly, we are able to determine specific populations of mothers that are at higher risk for complication. Several articles discuss
the increased risk for African-American mothers. The factors involved in this are discussed quite thoroughly. Again, it seems that
there are specific interventions that physicians can make. However, it also becomes apparent that public health and broader societal
issues play a role as well.
As a child neurologist, I frequently deal with children who undergo a neonatal abstinence syndrome at birth. It is not only tragic to
see neonates having to go through drug withdrawal, but also can result in significant long term developmental problems. As we deal
with the opioid crisis in this country, we need to focus specifically on the opioid crisis regarding pregnant women.
Lastly, it seems to me that if we are able to put men on the moon, cure genetic illness by repairing the DNA, and see new treatments
come on market on a daily basis, we as a society should be able to tackle the problem of maternal health and specifically, maternal
mortality quite effectively. The issue is not one of lack of technology. This is an issue of priorities. We as a country have to ask
ourselves where on our list of priorities does maternal health rank? In my mind the answer to that question is obvious. I hope you
will find the following articles as thought provoking as I have. As always, we recommend feedback and letters to the editor. Enjoy the
summer.

Sincerely,
SHELDON GROSS, MD
President, Bexar County Medical Society

8 San Antonio Medicine • July 2018