Resolving the Doula Dilemma Within the Black Community

An early-stage project, involving a Community Health Worker group, seeks to address high Black maternal mortality in New Jersey by increasing the use of doulas among this community. For many decades, doulas have worked in the Latinx community and their use is associated with good maternal outcomes (e.g., the Latinx maternal outcomes are much better than those for Blacks). But doulas are not used in the Black community nearly as much as in the Latinx community. Given Charles Senteio’s relationship with the central NJ Latinx community, insights from CHWs on how doulas support good outcomes, and understanding how some doula functions may be relevant and accepted by the Black community while others may not transfer as readily. Funding will be sought to communicate health information regarding the benefit of using doulas out to the Black community (expectant moms and dads) and potentially to train Black doulas (perhaps for a pilot project). Doula specialist services are covered through Medicaid. There is support from the NJ Latinx community of doulas and those that train them, and the community health outreach group at RWJ Barnabus. Senteio also anticipates partnering with Planned Parenthood of central NJ with whom he has an established working relationship.

Through Rutgers’ Project Echo, CHWs may participate in a compelling collaborative online training series to empower people within their communities,