An associate professor at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health (SMPH) received a $500,000 grant to improve maternal and child health outcomes for Black mothers and babies, according to a university news release.

 

Earlier this month, 13 Wisconsin-based community organizations were awarded grants from the Wisconsin Partnership Program (WPP) at SMPH to promote community-led approaches advancing health equity.

 

One grant recipient, Tiffany Green, PhD, an associate professor in the division of reproductive and population health and the department of population health sciences at SMPH, will partner with the Foundation for Black Women’s Wellness on “Accelerating Birth Equity in Wisconsin Through a Community-based Doula Workforce.”

 

The new project aims to improve maternal and child health outcomes by expanding and sustaining access to doulas and culturally aligned perinatal care.

 

The presence of a doula, along with regular nursing care, has been associated with improved labor and delivery outcomes, reduced stress and higher rates of patient satisfaction, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

 

Black women have the highest maternal mortality rate in the United States. In fact, although maternal mortality in the United States fell below pre-pandemic levels overall in 2023, racial gaps widened, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. What’s more, Black women experienced a maternal death rate about 2.6 times higher than white women in 2021 and 2022.

 

By collaborating with health system teams and community health workers, Green and the Foundation aim to improve birth outcomes, reduce complications and ensure access to trusted quality care.

 

“WPP is committed to a healthier Wisconsin,” said Amy Kind, MD, PhD, associate dean for social health sciences and programs at the SMPH and executive director at WPP, in a release. “This year’s awards reach broadly across the state to support both rural and urban-based community organizations as well as academic partnerships from many Wisconsin campuses. By supporting these wide-scale collaborations and innovative approaches to health improvement, we build partnerships, grow capacity and strive to make a meaningful impact on health and well-being in Wisconsin.”

 

To read more, click #Maternal Health or #Health Equity. There, you’ll see headlines such as “Trump Wants Americans to Make More Babies. Critics Say His Policies Won’t Help Raise Them,” “Report Highlights Infant Mortality Rates Among Black Ohioans” and “Black Women Are More Likely to Have Unnecessary C-Sections.”