Arkansas Center for Health Improvement
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists released new guidance last week supporting collaboration between OB-GYNs and doulas during the birthing journey. The guidance comes as Arkansas implements new certification and health coverage requirements intended to expand access to doula services.
publications
Doulas are professionals trained in childbirth who provide emotional, physical, and other supports to pregnant or recently pregnant women. This updated explainer examines their role in the birthing journey.
This updated infographic, part of our 100 Arkansans initiative, illustrates demographic and health statistics for Arkansas seniors age 65 or older.
This explainer provides an overview of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), examining its history, participation rates, purchasing patterns, program waivers, and how the federal budget reconciliation bill signed into law in July 2025 may affect the program and its role in addressing food insecurity and nutritional needs in Arkansas.
Blog Posts
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists released new guidance last week supporting collaboration between OB-GYNs and doulas during the birthing journey. The guidance comes as Arkansas implements new certification and health coverage requirements intended to expand access to doula services.
When dealing with extreme summer heat, it’s important to know that the risk of heat-related illness and death can be higher for people who use certain medications.
People who had obesity in adolescence account for more healthcare spending at age 30 than people who had a healthy weight in adolescence, according to a new study by researchers with ACHI and the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.
Maternal and infant mortality rates in Arkansas are among the highest in the nation, but a wide range of efforts are underway to change that. The Healthy Birthing Journey Podcast is a nine-part series in which we explore the data and issues behind maternal and infant health in Arkansas by speaking with the people working to improve outcomes for moms and babies across our state.
Each episode focuses on one of nine points on the birthing journey, from pre-pregnancy through delivery and into the postpartum period, where ACHI analysts and researchers have identified opportunities for Arkansas to make lasting improvements.
In the ninth and final episode of the Healthy Birthing Journey Podcast, we explore well-child visits and other efforts to improve infant health outcomes during the first year of life.
Podcast by ACHI
Data can be a powerful component in strategies to improve public health and healthcare outcomes. Research, quality improvement activities, and program development and evaluation all require reliable data infrastructure. That’s why, more than a decade ago, our state established the Arkansas Healthcare Transparency Initiative, which includes an all-payer claims database, or APCD. To learn more about the role of APCDs and similar efforts underway around the country, we are joined on this episode of the Wonks at Work podcast by Kevin McAvey, managing director of Manatt Health in New York and a recognized expert on state data assets.
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Health Policy Board Policy Positions and Statements
ACHI’s Health Policy Board consists of 21 voting members (and two ex-officio members) from across the state who bring diverse perspectives and interests on health. This independent, self-perpetuating board identifies and establishes strategic priorities, provides direction and guidance, and serves as a forum for the exchange of ideas. The Health Policy Board guides ACHI’s involvement in and position on specific policy matters, and it issues position statements that articulate the health needs of Arkansans.