Improving perinatal health for Black birthing people through community support
Official title: Advancing Perinatal Health Equity through a Community-engaged Model of Healthcare Services
Funded at University of California Berkeley · NIH-10998399 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working to improve the mental health of Black pregnant individuals by providing supportive and personalized care during and after pregnancy, helping to reduce feelings of depression and stress related to their experiences.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Berkeley NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Berkeley, United States) |
| Project start | August 20, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $48,974 |
| NIH project number | 1F31MD019996-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10998399 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are Black birthing individuals who are experiencing or at risk for perinatal depression.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not Black or do not identify as birthing individuals may not receive benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on addressing the significant disparities in pregnancy-related outcomes between non-Hispanic Black and White patients, particularly concerning perinatal depression. It aims to implement a community-engaged model of healthcare services that includes patient-centered care and social support specifically designed for Black birthing individuals. The project utilizes a program called Beloved Birth Black Centering (BBBC), which incorporates evidence-based practices such as racially concordant care and midwifery-led group visits to enhance the quality of perinatal care. By addressing social stressors, including those related to racism, the research seeks to improve mental health outcomes during and after pregnancy.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved mental health outcomes and reduced health disparities for Black birthing individuals.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown success in using community-engaged models to address health disparities, making this approach promising.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California Berkeley
Berkeley, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: De Ornelas, Maria — University of California Berkeley
- Study coordinator: De Ornelas, Maria
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.