Program Outcome Report Sample

Closing the Gap in Maternal Health: How Pomelo Care Is Redefining Both Prenatal and Postnatal Support

Introduction: Rates of Maternal Mortality Still Remains High in Underserved Communities

Despite medical advances, maternal mortality still remains unacceptably high in low-resource settings. In the U.S. alone, Black women are 2.6 times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women (CDC 2025) while In low- and middle-income countries, the ratio is even starker — up to 100 times higher than in high-income nations (WHO 2025). The postpartum period (“fourth trimester”) is mostly dangerous: 60% of maternal deaths occur after delivery and is often from preventable causes like hemorrhage, infection or hypertension.

Pomelo Care, founded in 2023 in New York, is closing that gap with a tech-enabled and human-centered model of continuous maternal and infant support that combines clinical expertise, AI-driven monitoring and culturally competent care.

Problem Statement: Lack of Access to Personalised and Continuous Care

Pregnancy and the first year postpartum are high-risk periods, yet care is often episodic:

•Prenatal visits are infrequent (especially in rural or underserved areas).

•Postpartum follow-up is minimal — many women see no provider for 6 weeks or longer.

•Warning signs (postpartum depression, hypertension, infection) are missed because patients lack easy ways to report symptoms.

•Cultural, language and trust barriers prevent many women from seeking help.

The result: preventable complications escalate, outcomes worsen and health disparities widen.

Pomelo Care Solution: Telehealth, AI Monitoring and Personalised Care Plans

Pomelo delivers continuous support through a hybrid model:

1.Dedicated care team — Each member is assigned a registered nurse or midwife + a community health worker (often matching the patient’s language and cultural background).

2.Daily check-ins — Patients use a simple mobile app to report symptoms, mood, breastfeeding challenges and vital signs (blood pressure via affordable cuff, weight, fetal movement).

3.AI-driven risk stratification — Proprietary algorithms analyse self-reported data, vital trends and historical patterns to flag risks (e.g., preeclampsia, PPD) and prioritise outreach.

4.Personalised care plans — Tailored education, guidance on healthy nutrition, mental-health screening and referrals — delivered via text, voice messages, video or phone.

5.24/7 support — Live chat and phone access to clinicians for urgent questions.

Pomelo partners with Medicaid plans, health systems and community organizations to reach underserved populations with a main focus on Black, Latina and rural mothers.

Impact: Reduced Complications, Healthier Outcomes and Equity in Maternal Health

Early results are promising:

•Pilot cohort (2024–2025, n=1,200): 38% reduction in severe maternal morbidity events and 45% increase in postpartum attendance.

•Mental health: 62% of participants screened positive for PPD risk were connected to care within 48 hours (vs. national average of weeks).

•Equity: Black and Latina participants saw the largest gains — 52% reduction in emergency department visits for pregnancy-related issues.

•Cost savings: Preliminary data shows US$2,800–$4,200 lower per-member costs in the first year postpartum (avoided both hospitalisations and use of ED).

Pomelo’s model is being evaluated in a multi-state Medicaid demonstration project (2025–2027) with results expected in late 2026.

Broader Vision: A New Model for An Inclusive Tech-Enabled Maternal Health

Pomelo’s founders see maternal health as a bellwether for health-system equity. Their vision is to scale a model where culturally competent care becomes the default — not a luxury. By combining AI triage with human empathy, Pomelo aims to make high-touch support affordable and scalable, particularly in underserved communities.

Conclusion: Pomelo Care as the Model for An Inclusive Tech-Enabled Maternal Health

Every year, hundreds of thousands of women and babies suffer preventable harm during pregnancy periods and Pomelo Care is proving that technology — when paired with cultural understanding and human connection — can change that trajectory.

In a field long dominated by episodic care, Pomelo is building a continuous safety net. The result is not just fewer complications, but stronger families, healthier communities and a more equitable future for mothers and infants everywhere.