The potential of doulas to improve maternal health outcomes and reduce racial disparities in Arkansas is highlighted in a new report from the Arkansas Center for Health Improvement (ACHI). The state ranks 44th in the nation for maternal mortality, with Black women dying at twice the rate of white women during childbirth.
The report, titled “Doulas in Arkansas: Improving Birth Outcomes and Experiences,” notes that doulas provide physical, emotional, and informational support to mothers before, during, and after childbirth. Research shows their involvement can lead to fewer cesarean sections, reduced use of pain medication, and higher rates of breastfeeding.
However, doulas are currently underutilized in Arkansas, especially among women of color and those with low incomes who face the greatest risks. The report calls for raising awareness about doula services, increasing the number of trained doulas, and improving access through Medicaid coverage and hospital partnerships.
Dr. Creshelle Nash, medical director for health equity and public programs at Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield, emphasized the importance of doulas as part of a multipronged strategy to address the state’s maternal health crisis. “It’s not just one thing that’s going to improve outcomes,” Nash said. “It’s really about all of us coming together.”
See “Doulas Part of the Solution to Maternal Health Disparities in Arkansas” (May 24, 2024)
