Melanated Midwives Address Pregnancy-Related Health Disparities Among Black People
text of article Heading link
With $7.1 million of funding from the Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute, a study at UI Health is examining a new model of care to improve pregnancy and postpartum outcomes for Black people. Karie Stewart, a certified nurse midwife and UIC nursing PhD student, and UIC faculty Dr. Kylie Liese of the College of Nursing and Dr. Stacie Geller of the College of Medicine are leading a team of Black midwives, doulas and nurse navigators in a study of the Melanated Group Midwifery Care model. Under this new model, Black patients will receive care from Black midwives and Black nurses, and in-home support from Black doulas for up to a year after delivery. Prenatal care will also be provided through group peer support. Over the course of five years, they will enroll 495 participants in the study and analyze differences in outcomes between traditional care and the Melanated Group Midwifery Care model.