Structural racism and barriers to accessing health care resources lead to direct adverse health impacts for people of color. While disparities in health outcomes across racial and ethnic groups are often narrower in the Commonwealth than they are in the nation, clear disparities persist across many key outcome measures in Massachusetts.
The Perinatal Health Initiative grant program was developed in response to disparities in pregnancy-associated mortality and severe maternal morbidity and in consideration of interviews with over 30 stakeholders working in maternal and perinatal health. The results of these interviews reinforced the importance of focusing on improving perinatal health. The one-year grant program is focused on supporting and expanding the capacity of community–based organizations located within communities who are racially, economically, culturally or socially marginalized. Grant partners will work in one of three areas:
- Perinatal Community Education and Support
- Policy and Advocacy
- Workforce (with a strong focus on supporting doulas and efforts to expand trainings on perinatal mood and anxiety disorders)
This program area is not currently accepting applications. For a listing of current grant recipients, click "Recent Awards" to the left.