The Black Maternal and infant health equity collaborative

The Black Maternal and Infant Health Equity Collaborative (BMIHEC) is a collaboration between Jackson Health System, Metro Mommy Agency, Southern Birth Justice Network, Magnolia Birth House and YWCA. Funded by the Health Foundation of South Florida, the Black Maternal and Infant Health Equity Collaborative goal is to reduce Black maternal mortality and morbidity through Doula Care and systems transformation.

The United States is currently experiencing a maternal health crisis, but it’s pregnant people of color who experience its worst effects: Black women, American Indian, and Alaska Native women are up to three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than White women and are also more likely to experience severe complications from pregnancy and birth. In Miami-Dade County’s (MDC) maternal mortality rate was 28.6 for every 100,000 live births overall but Blacks were nearly three times as likely as Whites to die from pregnancy-related complications, with 36.3 Black mortalities per 100,000 live births, compared to 12.7 in Whites. There are also 6.2 Black infant deaths for every 1,000 live births compared to 2.5 White infant deaths. Black infants are at higher risk of being born preterm—13.8% compared to 9.1% of White newborns–and underweight--13.7% of Black infants compared to 7% of Whites.

A Doula is a non-medical professional who provides emotional, physical, and informational support during prenatal, birth, and postpartum periods and helps advocate for the needs and wishes of the mother before, during, and after pregnancy. Doula has shown to increase positive pregnancy, birth and postpartum outcomes and reduce the use of interventions and complications. 

By incorporating birth workers (doulas and midwives) into the prenatal, birthing, and postpartum care process, The Black Maternal and Infant Health Equity Collaborative aims to break existing silos to addresses the ecosystem that impacts social determinants of health for Black mothers, birthing people and infants served within Women's Hospital at Jackson Health. Community-based doulas provide culturally sensitive pregnancy and childbirth education, early linkage to health care, and other services like labor coaching, breastfeeding support, and parenting education.

Over the next 3 years, through the BMIHEC Pilot Doula Program at Jackson Memorial Hospital we plan to increase the number of doulas trained through a Birth Justice Framework followed by a fellowship program which includes doula mentorship, business planning through an entrepreneurship program and lastly getting your credentials as a Medicaid Doula Provider that will enhance the doula workforce. 

There is potential job placement to work as an independent contractor after training and required mentorship phase and have an opportunity to be able to receive clients from Jackson towards the completion of their certification process. Fellowship program participants are required to be available to serve pregnant people birthing at Jackson.ensuring the safety of you and your baby.