EleVATE, which stands for “elevating voices, addressing depression, toxic stress and equity,” was created by Affinia Healthcare, with participation from Black moms. Together, they work to improve maternal and infant health outcomes.

Strategies for creating programs to improve maternal health outcomes for Black women include:

• Putting patients in leadership roles and compensating them for their input and time
• Training healthcare providers to provide trauma informed respectful care
• Providing access to additional forms of holistic therapies during the birthing process
• Seeking input from Black women in the community to assess their needs       

Discover how trauma-informed care integration enhances a healthcare provider’s ability to identify underlying health issues, treat Black women with cultural sensitivity, and effectively address varying needs throughout their pregnancy.

*This article is part of a series on transforming health systems published with support from The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.