Reducing maternal health disparities for Black women
Official title: Reducing Racial Disparities in Maternal Care Through Data-Based Accountability and Doula Support
Run by University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill · NCT05484804 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is trying different ways to improve prenatal care for Black women in North Carolina to see if it can help reduce low birthweight babies and make their overall experience better.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 12 Years to 99 Years |
| Sex | Women only |
| Enrollment | 60000 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Chapel Hill, North Carolina) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | June 5, 2023 |
| Main results expected | July 31, 2027 |
| Study ends | August 31, 2027 |
| Registry record updated | April 17, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT05484804 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates for this study are Black or African American women who are starting prenatal care at one of the participating practices.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients who do not self-identify as Black or African American or those who are not starting prenatal care at the designated practices may not benefit from this study.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This project, known as ACURE4Moms, aims to address and reduce the disparities in maternal health outcomes between Black and White patients through a multi-level intervention approach. The study involves a pragmatic 4-arm cluster randomized controlled trial across 40 prenatal practices in North Carolina, where practices will be assigned to different intervention arms, including standard care, data accountability, community-based doula support, or a combination of these. The primary focus is to decrease low birthweight deliveries among Black women and improve their overall prenatal care experience by tackling institutional racism and enhancing social support. Data will be collected from electronic healthcare records and patient surveys to assess outcomes related to birthweight and experiences of discrimination.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this initiative could significantly improve maternal health outcomes and reduce the incidence of low birthweight among Black women.
How similar studies have gone: Other studies have shown success in addressing maternal health disparities through community-based interventions, making this approach both relevant and promising.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: Practices: * Have at least 180 Black patient deliver over 2 years * Be willing to be randomized * Be willing to adhere to the study protocol Patient survey participants: * Start prenatal care at one of the study clinics during study implementation * Self-identify as Black or African American * Able to give consent and complete surveys and interviews in English Practice staff member participants: * Employed as either a provider, nurse/medical assistant, or office administrator at one of the clinics in this study Doula participants: * Provide doula care to patients at one the clinics in this study Exclusion Criteria: Practices: * Already integrated with Community-Based Doulas * Already have an Early Warning System or Disparities Dashboard
Where it's running
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University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Jennifer H Tang, MD, MSCR — University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Jennifer H Tang, MD, MSCR
- Email: jennifer_tang@med.unc.edu
- Phone: 919-962-4880
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.