Mobilizing Doulas: Advancing Equitable Maternal Health Outcomes in California
The United States faces an unprecedented maternal mortality crisis, disproportionately impacting Black and Indigenous women and birthing people, with systemic medical racism, limited access to mental health care, and social determinants of health (SDoH) driving these disparities.
This ITUP fact sheet examines the maternal health crisis, state initiatives to improve outcomes for families, and the vital role of doulas in providing equitable, accessible care for marginalized communities.
Despite protective factors like income, education, and location, Black and Indigenous birthing people experience significantly worse outcomes compared to their white counterparts, underscoring the need for systemic change, perinatal workforce investment, and innovative approaches to maternal health care access.