appropriate aspirin treatment and eliminated the racial disparity in care.
Perinatal Antidiscrimination Initiative
“Always Listening and Learning with You”—ALLY—is a phrase developed by the Cedars-Sinai perinatal unit to characterize an effective approach to patient advocacy and health equity.
The principle of “allyship” is the foundation of annual department compliance training on unconscious bias. The course demonstrates the value of inclusive terminology, offers opportunities to explore how to advocate for patients and colleagues and emphasizes the critical role staff members play in improving the experiences of patients.
Black Maternal Mental Health
“Black women are twice as likely to experience perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, including postpartum depression, than their white counterparts. They are also less likely to receive treatment,” said clinical psychologist Eynav Accortt, PhD, director of the Reproductive Psychology Program.
Cedars-Sinai investigators are recruiting participants for an NIH-funded study aimed at addressing those disparities. The Resources, Inspiration, Support, Empowerment (R.I.S.E.) for Black Maternal Mental Health study tests a mobile health web application designed to help manage stress in pregnancy.
Black women living anywhere in the U.S. who are 12-32 weeks pregnant and at least 18 years old can participate in the study. Click here for more information.
Community Partners
Cedars-Sinai also partners with trusted community organizations committed to improving Black maternal and infant health.
Since 2022, Cedars-Sinai has committed over $3.5 million to 14 organizations that focus on reaching perinatal and postnatal Black women in Los Angeles County, across the continuum of care. Grantees include highly respected partners such as the California Black Women’s Health Project, which provides health education and other resources meant to build empowering relationships within the community of Black pregnant and parenting women they serve.
“Striving for health equity among all populations has long been a goal of Cedars-Sinai. These organizations are key partners in that mission. The grants—and opportunities to combine resources for the good of public health—are an important way we can contribute to improving Black maternal health and well-being,” Harris said.
Read more on the Cedars-Sinai Blog: Equitable, Personalized Care for Women and Children of Color