The state of Illinois has unveiled a groundbreaking digital maternal health pilot program in collaboration with Drive Health and Google. The initiative aims to support 56,000 women in rural Cook County by providing access to an AI-powered assistant named Avery. This agent helps manage prenatal care, schedule genetic screenings, coordinate vaccinations, and offer real-time health advice tailored to each participant.
Illinois faces serious maternal health challenges: one-third of its counties are maternal care deserts, and its infant mortality rate is higher than the national average. Behavioral health conditions among pregnant Medicaid recipients are often untreated, and over 90% of hospitals in the state report shortages in mental health professionals.
To tackle these disparities, eligible participants—women planning pregnancy, expectant mothers, or mothers with children under 3—will receive a Google Pixel 8a and a Fitbit Inspire 3. These devices enable Avery to deliver personalized support, including nutrition tips, mental health resources, and chronic disease management guidance.
Avery’s AI platform is HIPAA-compliant and designed to engage users through reminders and voice commands, making it accessible even to those with limited tech experience. Google Cloud handles data security, while Drive Health ensures the solution meets the specific needs of underserved communities.
“This pilot marks a major step toward equitable maternal care,” said Chris Hein of Google Public Sector. Kevin Longoria, CEO of Drive Health, emphasized that the program represents a critical milestone in democratizing healthcare access for vulnerable populations.
This initiative follows a broader trend of integrating conversational AI in maternal healthcare. Tools like Penn Medicine’s “Penny” chatbot have demonstrated the value of AI in improving postpartum care. With the Healthy Baby pilot, Illinois is positioning itself at the forefront of tech-driven maternal health solutions.
Article written by Andrea Fox
19/05/2025
Source:
Healthcare IT news