This toolkit was developed by the Pennsylvania Doula Commission in partnership with community members to educate families, Doulas, and policy makers across Pennsylvania about the upcoming Medicaid benefit to cover and reimburse Doulas for the services they provide
We are looking for doulas who have provided care to pregnant and postpartum people in Pennsylvania during the last year to join our research study on medical insurance and racial health equity by participating in one, 40-60-minute interview. You will receive $50 in compensation for your time.
Are you a Doula who provides reproductive health and family services in Pennsylvania? The PA Doula Commission invites you to share your insights about doula services and the prosed PA Medicaid benefits package. Share your thoughts in our brief survey!
Poor birth outcomes are more prevalent for Black communities, but strong evidence shows that doula care can improve those outcomes. In this study by Dr. Mosley and her team, doulas noted the alarming Black maternal mortality rate and how mistreatment causes Black clients to lose trust in medical staff, leaving them in need of advocates. Doulas also discussed the ways that race influences their connections with clients and their dissatisfaction with the lack of cultural humility or sensitivity training in standard doula training.
Georgia's high maternal mortality rates disproportionately affect Black women, who are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes compared to white women. Doulas play a crucial role in improving perinatal health and reducing these disparities, but accessibility to doulas is uncertain. Dr. Liz Mosley and her team conducted a community-engaged mixed methods study that revealed that doulas face challenges in building their businesses and reaching high risk community members.
Congratulations to Dr. Marian Jarlenski for a successful PCORI grant focused on improving pregnancy-related health outcomes.
We worked with Pitt's Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion on The Intersections of Inequity, Justice, and Health: Reproductive Autonomy for All as part of the 2022 Diversity Forum. Meet our amazing panelists:
