Georgia IMPROVE on Maternal Health, Structural Racism and Discrimination, & COVID 19

This project will expand the work to learn what has caused maternal health inequities during COVID-19 and in the context of racism and discrimination.

As highlighted by events of 2020, Black women have faced dual pandemics: COVID 19 and Racism. The COVID-19 public health pandemic revealed the harsh health inequities affecting U.S. Black and Brown communities, with 2.4 to 7 times mortality rates compared to white Americans.

Underlying health conditions, unequal exposure, and other social determinants are among the reasons for this devastating disparity. Tragically, this impact has extended to pregnant and postpartum women and there will be an increase in maternal morbidity and mortality due to COVID-19, not only from its physical health effects but also due to its increased chronic stress and social isolation. This project will expand the work of the Georgia IMPROVE project to understand the complex, dual effects of both the COVID-19 pandemic and structural racism and discrimination on Georgia’s Black pregnant and postpartum women. This multi-sectoral and multi-level translational, health disparities research approach to understanding the many causes of maternal health inequities in the context of COVID-19 and in an atmosphere of structural racism and discrimination. Without a comprehensive examination of these endemic, structural, and COVID-19-specific factors which adversely impact maternal health and wellbeing, our ability to develop impactful multi-level prevention strategies and to advocate for critical policy changes to prevent future maternal deaths and severe morbidity will remain inadequate.