From left: Favorite Iradukunda (Nursing), Lindiwe Sibeko (Nutrition), Lucinda Canty (Nursing) and Shannon Roberts (Mechanical and Industrial Engineering)
Research shows that 80% of maternal deaths are preventable. So, when Black women are three to four times more likely to die from a pregnancy-related complication than White women, it begs the question: is this problem medical in nature, societal, or a blend of the two?
Late access to prenatal care is associated with higher maternal mortality rates, as well as other serious complications for both mother and child. While improving access to quality care has long been proposed as a solution to racial disparities in maternal health, an important aspect of accessibility is often overlooked: transportation.
Given previous research showing that lack of transportation is a common barrier to prenatal care, we see an urgent need to understand Black women’s experiences with this issue. What challenges do Black women face in terms of mobility, and how does this impact their ability to access care?
In this multidisciplinary project, researchers from engineering, nursing, and public health backgrounds will collaborate to make sense of this critical issue. Our research will include interviews, ride-alongs, and data analysis to comprehensively investigate the experiences of Black pregnant women in Western Massachusetts.
This approach, based on community participation, will ensure the central role of Black women’s voices, and hopefully build lasting relationships. We will share our findings with the community, local agencies, and transportation providers to inform future interventions. Ultimately, we hope to use our findings in future research focused on addressing transportation barriers for Black pregnant women, improving their access to care, and reducing maternal morbidity and mortality.
This project was the recipient of a $25,000 grant co-sponsored by the Elaine Marieb Center for Nursing & Engineering Innovation.
Original Artwork by Lucinda Canty