Author: National Association of Counties
In the United States, one in five pregnant and postpartum people experience mental health and substance use conditions.1 As a result, many counties face elevated risks for poor maternal mental health outcomes.2 Maternal mental health conditions have significant social implications, reducing the quality of life for both parent and child. These conditions carry economic costs as well; the estimated financial toll of untreated conditions is $14 billion annually due to a loss of productivity.3 Counties play a critical role in addressing these challenges through local public health infrastructure, community partnerships and service delivery.4