​​​​​​​HAP Report Outlines Plan of Action to Improve Maternal Health Outcomes Across Pennsylvania

• Asia Tabb
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  Asia Tabb is the Host and Producer for WITF’s The Spark.
  
  She began her start in radio when she joined legendary radio/ host producer, Doc Christian. She worked closely with Doc for her role on “The Gospel Express, on WHOV 88.1 FM and was a host for “Unrestricted Praise” at Praise FM.
  
  Previously she was an anchor in Shreveport, Louisiana at KTAL/KMSS. Asia also worked as a Multi-Media Journalist at WHP-TV here in Harrisburg, PA.
  
  Asia got her break into news at KTVO in Ottumwa, Ia. While the 2020 caucuses were gearing up. Asia followed many candidates through their campaign trail from Senator Cory Booker, Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, and 46th President of the United States Joe Biden.
  
  Asia was born and raised in Norfolk, Va. She graduated from Old Dominion University in 2018 with a major in Communications.
  
  Asia is extremely friendly so don’t be afraid to say hi if you see her out and about.

FILE - Cots and cribs are arranged at the Mountain America Expo Center in Sandy, Utah, on April 6, 2020, as an alternate care site or for hospital overflow amid the COVID-19 pandemic. According to a National Center for Health Statistics report released on Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022, maternal mortality rates for U.S. women climbed higher in the pandemic's first year, continuing a trend that disproportionately affects Black mothers. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, File)

Aired; April 15th, 2025.

As maternal health outcomes worsen across the nation, Pennsylvania’s hospital leaders are taking action. Nicole Stallings, president and CEO of the Hospital and Health System Association of Pennsylvania (HAP), joined WITF’s The Spark to discuss the group’s new maternal health report and the sweeping recommendations it offers.

“In late 2023, we were looking at data and we were seeing some pretty concerning trends,” Stallings said. “Rates of maternal complications, both in Pennsylvania and nationally, were increasing. And we also saw some startling disparities. Black women had higher rates of complications than white women.”

The statistics are alarming. According to the report, there’s been a 40% increase in severe maternal morbidity in Pennsylvania since 2016. Stallings explained, “Maternal morbidity refers to unexpected health outcomes—something happening during delivery that has a severe consequence.”

The rise, she said, is driven largely by chronic conditions like hypertension and diabetes, which are increasingly common among expecting mothers. “But we also know that some of these complications are preventable,” she emphasized. “Hospitals were really looking to hold up the mirror to identify where they could provide care in a better way.”

Listen to the podcast to hear the full conversation.