March 2023 - June 2024

Allegheny Health Network; (This project is part of the Pittsburgh Study funded by the Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh Foundation, Grable Foundation, Shear Family Foundation, PNC, Heinz Endowments, and the Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh).

With our partners, The Healthy Pregnancy Collaborative (part of The Pittsburgh Study) and the University of Pittsburgh, we are piloting an innovative community-based doula program in Wilkinsburg to decrease poor birth outcomes for Black birthing people. This co-designed community doula pilot study in Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania will evaluate the degree to which an equity-centered community-based doula model contributes to perceived respectful care, patient autonomy, and improved birth outcomes.

Healthy Start’s role in this project includes co-developing study design and protocols, managing community outreach and engagement—including needs assessment activities—and employing and managing the doulas who are providing the study intervention.