Investing in Doulas for a Healthier Future

By Dr. Tiffany Inglis

Every mom-to-be deserves the chance to experience a healthy pregnancy, free from unnecessary complications. Yet, in the United States, we fall tragically short in delivering healthy birth outcomes, lagging behind other developed nations. And this far too often casts a dark shadow over the joy of bringing new life into the world.

The numbers paint the picture. The U.S. has the highest maternal mortality rate among developed nations, a crisis that is caused in large part by disproportionate access to maternal care. Black women, for instance, are around three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women.

If we want to improve health outcomes for moms and their babies, we need to level the inequities in healthcare. That’s what we’re trying to do at Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield through a variety of programs, including one of our newest – doula care.

Doulas offer a powerful pathway to change. Doulas are trained professionals who provide information as well as physical and emotional support to mothers before, during, and after childbirth. They empower women to navigate the complexities of the healthcare system, make informed decisions about their care, and advocate for their needs. They become a trusted member of the family's support system.
 

Anthem’s research has shown the remarkable impact of doulas on maternal health outcomes. The data tells us that mothers who receive doula support have a 47% lower risk of cesarean delivery and a 29% lower risk of preterm birth, both of which increase the chance of complications for mother and baby. Additionally, mothers who receive doula care are 46% more likely to attend a postpartum checkup, a critical step in identifying and preventing potential health problems.
 

Anthem’s commitment to doula care is real. Our parent company has invested over $1.5 million to train more than 450 doulas across 18 states. And so far in Ohio, Anthem has already contracted 16 doulas with several more on the way.

Making sure we have well-trained doulas is especially important because, after years of advocacy, doula care in Ohio is now a covered service for pregnant women insured by Medicaid.

In addition, the efforts to increase doula care are aligned with Gov. Mike DeWine's Bold Beginning Initiative, which makes maternal health a priority in Ohio. The governor’s program incentivizes providers to address the needs of pregnant mothers throughout the entire pregnancy process. This will help integrate doulas into more care teams, ensuring more Ohio families can experience the benefits of doula support.

We believe that integrating doulas into the standard of maternal care is crucial. They are important members of a mother’s care team, and their support can truly transform the lives of mothers and their babies. Anthem is committed to continuing our collaboration with policymakers, healthcare providers, and community partners to ensure that every woman, regardless of background or location, has the opportunity to receive doula care if they can use it. Because when we invest in moms-to-be, we invest in the future where every mom and baby have the chance to thrive.

Dr. Tiffany Inglis is the chief medical officer for care navigation at Anthem’s health partner, Carelon Health.

Media contact:
press@anthem.com