PURPOSE
The mission of Healthy Start is to improve maternal and child health and to reduce poor birth outcomes and infant mortality in Allegheny County.
Healthy Start is committed to leading, supporting and collaborating on research projects aligned with our mission. Specifically, we are committed to engaging in community-partnered research that is meaningfully informed by and contributes to science benefiting the health and wellness of Black women, families, and communities.
Our decision to engage in or support research opportunities comes with the responsibility of understanding the historical perspective of research on the Black community. This means pursuing an equity lens and doing our due diligence to vet opportunities that offer the greatest benefit to the Black community. Be it through the nature of the research and/or reciprocation of critical resources, transferring of knowledge, and projects led by Black scholars, scientists and community researchers.
Meet the Healthy Start Research Team:
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Director of Strategic Initiatives
Research Assistant
Research Assistant
EMBRACE Project Coordinator
Stay up to date on our latest research opportunities by visiting this page, where you can find information on studies that are actively recruiting.
A Doula for Every Family: Addressing Maternal & Infant Health Disparities
What happens when community-rooted care meets the unique needs of Black birthing families?
Our study, A Doula for Every Family, set out to answer that question by exploring the impact of a community-based doula program in Wilkinsburg. This research focused on how culturally centered doula support can uplift birthing experiences and help close the gap in maternal health disparities.
Curious about what we learned? Check out the infographic below for a snapshot of key findings, real outcomes, and what this means for the future of birth support in our communities.
CURRENT PROJECTS
PAST PROJECTS
Heart Health Postpartum Doula Study
Medicaid Equity Research Study
NICU Doula Research Study
CHEERS Research Study
Family Check-up Heart
Doula Care for At-Risk Women
Postpartum Mothers Mobile Study
Medicaid Insurance Equity Study
Doula for Every Family
Fathers Matter Research Study
Structural Racism in Healthcare Research Study
PARTNERS
We’re grateful to our growing community of partners who come alongside us to improve maternal and child health in Allegheny County through equitable and community-partnered research.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW OUR RESEARCH FINANCIAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY
INTERESTED IN PARTNERING WITH US?
Completing this brief research partnership inquiry will assist us in conducting an initial assessment of alignment for partnership.
For more information, or to send us your completed assessment, contact:
Adena Bowden
(412)735-0618
Click here to view our Human Subjects’ Protection Program.
To report a complaint or injury related to the Healthy Start Research Program, click here.
