Doulas boost maternal health outcomes, according to an analysis of Medicaid data

Published 4 Min Read

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Giving birth in the U.S. comes with a high maternal mortality rate and debilitating expenses, especially for Black and indigenous women. But access to doulas could give more families a fighting chance.

Insurance provider Elevance Health examined the use and outcomes from doula services in affiliated Medicaid plans across California, Florida and New York. The findings revealed those with doulas had fewer in-patient admissions to the hospital, less likelihood of preterm births and lower odds of postpartum depression and anxiety. 

Deanna Cuadra
Senior Reporter

Deanna Cuadra is a senior reporter at Employee Benefit News. Her work covers healthcare, U.S. policy and reform, challenges faced by women and parents in the workplace and innovation in work culture … Read full bio


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