The existing health care system actively harms Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) birthing people. Racial discrimination and bias contributed to both disrespectful care and adverse birth outcomes. Due to the pandemic, efforts to flatten the curve limited the support systems created to combat racism in birthing spaces. For instance, although doulas have been touted as a solution to prevent Black maternal mortality, those same doulas have been prevented from providing in-hospital labor and delivery services due to COVID-19 restrictions. BIPOC pregnant people are doubly harmed due to existing and new restrictions.

The Community Engagement Research Incubator and Strategy Hub (CERISH) launched the PRIORITY-VOICE study to better understand COVID-positive birthing people’s experiences navigating perinatal care during the COVID-19 pandemic and identify both challenges and solutions.

Proudly hosted by the California Preterm Birth Initiative