DREAM: Dismantling Structural Racism to Promote EquitAble Maternal Health Outcomes
The United States is currently facing a maternal health crisis. Pregnant and birthing people experience more maternal deaths in this country compared to other wealthy countries, but not everyone is impacted in the same way. Black women and birthing people are unequally burdened and are 2-3 times more likely to die during or following pregnancy than White birthing people. The majority of these deaths are preventable.
Racism is believed to be the main reason why maternal deaths are impacting Black women and birthing people the most. However, we don’t know how to fully describe the complex ways racism impacts health outcomes.
Long term vision: The goal of the DREAM study is to develop an action plan that will identify resources and support that can improve Black maternal and infant health by building community relationships and uplifting the voices, perspectives, and knowledge of the communities who are being the most impacted.
American Heart Association Health Equity Research Network
The DREAM project is a part of the Health Equity Research Network (HERN) which is funded by the American Heart Association through the P3 EQUATE Network at the University of Alabama.
The BELIEVE study at the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill is one of our partners.