Community-based patient navigation for pregnant women

A Pragmatic Trial of Integrating Community-based Patient Navigation Into the Continuum of Maternal Care for Black Women in a Safety-Net Health System: Effects on Maternal Health, Health Care, Morbidity, and Mortality

Not applicable Interventional Emory University · NCT05588245

This study tests whether having a patient navigator can help high-risk pregnant women, especially Black women in Georgia, get better care and support during and after pregnancy.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment540 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorEmory University Academic / other
Locations1 site (Atlanta, Georgia)
Trial IDNCT05588245 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study tests the effectiveness of a community-based patient navigator intervention for high-risk, medically underserved pregnant women from mid-pregnancy through 12 months postpartum. It involves a randomized controlled trial enrolling 540 women who will be assigned to either standard care or the intervention group receiving support from a patient navigator. The aim is to improve maternal health outcomes and reduce racial disparities in severe maternal morbidities, particularly among Black women in Georgia. The intervention includes prenatal and postpartum contacts to address health assessments, education, and social needs.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are Black, English-speaking pregnant women aged 18 and older, covered by Medicaid, and identified with unmet social needs.

Not a fit: Patients who intend to transfer care outside of metro Atlanta or those who are incarcerated may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this intervention could significantly improve maternal health outcomes and reduce disparities for high-risk pregnant women.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown promise in using community-based navigators to improve health outcomes, but this specific approach is novel in the context of maternity care for Black women.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* A pregnant woman or individual (inclusive of all gender identities) who is Black and English-speaking (by self-report),
* ≥18 years of age who is capable of consenting for oneself and who presents for prenatal care with a singleton pregnancy ≤ 20 weeks gestation (confirmed by medical record),
* covered by Medicaid
* for whom the AHC-Health Related Social Needs Tool (administered as part of standard clinical care for prenatal patients) identifies ≥1 unmet social needs
* expectation to receive prenatal care and deliver at Grady and be available through 12-months postpartum to assure opportunity for exposure to the intervention, process, and outcome measure ascertainment.

Exclusion Criteria:

* The intent to transfer care to a health system outside of metro Atlanta
* incarceration, which would interfere with intervention provision and outcome ascertainment
* adults unable to give consent
* individuals who are not yet adults
* prisoners
* cognitively impaired individuals with impaired decision-making capacity
* individuals who are not able to clearly understand and speak English (as the PPP-PN intervention is only available in English at this time)

Where this trial is running

Atlanta, Georgia

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Pregnancy Related
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.