How $250,000 Could Improve Birth Outcomes for Black Mothers and Infants: A Proposed Interprofessional, Community-Centered Doula Program

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to examine the well-established body of evidence demonstrating significant racial inequities in Black maternal and infant morbidity and mortality, and to conduct further literature reviews to propose feasible solutions to lessen these inequalities. The factors contributing to racial inequities in maternal and infant health are complex. They include structural factors (i.e., public policies, institutional practices, cultural representations in healthcare), interpersonal factors (i.e., lack of diversity in the medical profession, interpersonal racism including that which happens in healthcare settings) and social factors (i.e., economic instability, lack of access to quality care, lack of reliable transportation, food insecurities, etc.). Therefore, efforts to address inequities require the interplay of professionals across many healthcare and non-healthcare disciplines. Our team proposes an interdisciplinary, community-centered doula program, consisting of doulas, social workers, and a community health educator. This program assumes an initial budget of $250,000 with multiple suggested avenues of financial sustainability. The goal of this hypothetical program is to support Black women and pregnant people and to lessen inequities in a way that is innovative, feasible, and financially sensible, all with the understanding that not all factors contributing to inequities can realistically be addressed through a single program.