The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) https://www.pcori.org has approved $254 million to fund 28 new research studies to address urgent health problems. Of the $254 million, $33 million for four studies have been approved by PCORI to specifically strengthen pre and post-natal care for Black, Latina women, and their children.
The first study Reducing Racial Disparities in Maternal Care through Data-Based Accountability and Doula Support was awarded with the contract pending to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine for ($13,532,029).
The study will compare approaches on how to reduce the risk of low birth weight among Black infants and focus on multiple improvements within practices such as racial equity training for clinicians. A disparities dashboard will be used to share data concerning complications among patients in different racial groups with clinicians.
The second study Black Midwives for Black Women: Maternity Care to Improved Trust and Attenuate Structural Racism was awarded with the contract pending to the University of Illinois for $9,998,635.
The study will compare usual care with a new model of maternity care combining several strategies. These strategies will support Black midwifes during pregnancy and delivery and a support the use of a community based doula after childbirth to see of the additional culturally tailored care improves Black women’s experiences and outcomes.
The third study The Path to Optimal Black Maternal Heart Health :Comparing two CVD Risk Reduction Interventions awarded to Temple University with the contract pending for $5,986,755.
This study will compare the use of several approaches to reduce the risk of heart disease. Heart disease causes nearly half of pregnancy related deaths among Black women. Both approaches support healthy eating, physical activity, and self-monitoring of blood pressure. However, one approach adds community-based supports such as doula care and mental health services.
The fourth study Clinically Integrated Breast Feeding Peer Counseling to Promote Breast Feeding Equity was awarded to NorthShore University Health System for $3,937,251. The study will test whether integrating breastfeed peer counseling into prenatal, delivery and postpartum care reduces disparities in breastfeeding outcomes among Black and Latina patients as compared to standard inpatient breastfeeding support from the nursing staff.