Howard County doula program aims to bolster maternal health resources – CBS News

Report on the Howard County Doula Partnership Program and its Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals

Executive Summary

The Howard County Health Department has initiated the Doula Partnership Program to provide comprehensive, non-medical support to birthing persons and their families. This initiative directly addresses several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), primarily focusing on SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), and SDG 5 (Gender Equality). By offering accessible doula services, the program aims to improve maternal and infant health outcomes, ensure equitable access to care, and empower individuals throughout their pregnancy journey.

Program Objectives and Alignment with SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

The central mission of the Doula Partnership Program is to enhance the health and well-being of mothers and newborns, a core target of SDG 3. The program seeks to mitigate adverse health statistics within Howard County, such as preterm birth and low birthweight rates, which currently reflect state averages.

Key Services and Health Contributions

• Comprehensive Support: Certified doulas provide continuous physical, emotional, and informational support from the prenatal to the postpartum period.
• Advocacy and Care: Doulas advocate for the birthing person’s needs within medical settings, ensuring their concerns are addressed and contributing to safer, more positive birth experiences.
• Holistic Family Assistance: Support extends to the entire family unit, with doulas offering practical help such as temporary childcare, household errands, and allowing parents time for rest and recovery.

Fostering Equity in Accordance with SDG 10 and SDG 5

A foundational principle of the program is the reduction of systemic inequalities in healthcare access and outcomes, directly supporting the objectives of SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) and SDG 5 (Gender Equality).

Initiatives for Reducing Inequality (SDG 10)

The program operates as a component of the Perinatal Equity and Care for Everyone (P.E.A.C.E.) Project, which is designed to connect residents with available resources.

1. Economic Accessibility: The Health Department fully or largely covers the cost of doula services, removing financial barriers and making support available to all families, irrespective of economic status.
2. Targeting Vulnerable Populations: The initiative actively works to prevent individuals from becoming “invisible” within the healthcare system, ensuring that those who may not typically express their need for help receive necessary support.

Empowerment and Gender Equality (SDG 5)

• Voice and Agency: By providing a dedicated advocate, the program empowers birthing persons, ensuring they are active participants in their own healthcare decisions.
• Support Systems: The creation of a strong, trust-based bond between the doula and the family enhances the birthing person’s sense of security and well-being, reinforcing their autonomy during a critical life stage.

Conclusion: A Model for Integrated SDG Implementation

The Howard County Doula Partnership Program exemplifies a targeted, community-level intervention that effectively advances multiple Sustainable Development Goals. By focusing on the interconnected pillars of health, equity, and empowerment, the program not only improves individual maternal and infant health outcomes but also contributes to building a more resilient and equitable community health infrastructure.

Analysis of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

  The article’s primary focus is on the Howard County Health Department’s Doula Partnership Program, which directly aims to improve maternal and infant health outcomes. It discusses providing comprehensive support during the prenatal and postpartum periods to address issues like preterm birth and low birthweight, which are central to SDG 3.

• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

  The program is explicitly described as an offshoot of the “Perinatal Equity and Care for Everyone, or P.E.A.C.E., Project.” The article emphasizes that the program is designed for “any family that needs extra help, no matter their economic background” and aims to ensure “no one’s left behind” or falls “under the cracks.” This directly addresses the goal of reducing health and social inequalities.

• SDG 5: Gender Equality

  By providing dedicated support to birthing persons, the program empowers them during a vulnerable period. The article mentions how a doula can help a new mother with household tasks and childcare, allowing her time for personal care and recovery (“she can take a shower, she can wash her hair… give [Robinson] some time to sleep”). This support helps to recognize and alleviate the burden of unpaid care work, which is a key aspect of SDG 5.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

   • Target 3.1: By 2030, reduce the global maternal mortality ratio. While the article does not mention mortality, the provision of comprehensive prenatal and postpartum support by trained doulas is a recognized strategy to improve maternal health and reduce complications that can lead to mortality.
   • Target 3.2: By 2030, end preventable deaths of newborns and children under 5 years of age. The program’s stated goal to curb issues like “preterm birth rate” and “low birthweight” directly contributes to this target, as these are leading causes of neonatal mortality.
   • Target 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection and access to quality essential health-care services. The article states that the costs for the doula program are “either completely or largely covered by the health department” and are available to any family, which aligns with the principles of providing accessible and affordable healthcare.

2. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

   • Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social… inclusion of all, irrespective of… economic or other status. The program’s design to serve families regardless of their “economic background” and to reach those who might “fall under the cracks” directly supports the promotion of social inclusion in health services.
   • Target 10.3: Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome. The program is part of the P.E.A.C.E. (Perinatal Equity and Care for Everyone) Project, which explicitly aims to reduce disparities in maternal and infant health outcomes.

3. SDG 5: Gender Equality

   • Target 5.4: Recognize and value unpaid care and domestic work through the provision of public services… and social protection policies. The article provides a clear example of a doula supporting a new mother with domestic and care work (“I can help out with [her kids], give [Robinson] some time to sleep, or even her husband as well. Maybe I can go to the grocery store”), which values and alleviates the burden of unpaid care.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, the article mentions and implies several indicators:

• Indicators for SDG 3

  The article explicitly mentions two key health metrics that the program aims to address and which can be used as direct indicators of progress:

  • Preterm birth rate: The article notes, “Our preterm birth rate is not very far off the state average,” indicating this is a tracked statistic the program seeks to improve.
  • Low birthweight rate: Similarly, it states, “our low birthweight [is also the same],” identifying another specific health outcome to be measured.

• Indicators for SDG 10

  The article implies indicators related to equity and access:

  • Program accessibility and uptake: The success of making the program available to “any family that needs extra help, no matter their economic background” can be measured by tracking the number and demographic diversity of families served.
  • Reduction in health disparities: The goal of the P.E.A.C.E. project implies a need to measure and reduce the gap in preterm birth and low birthweight rates among different socioeconomic groups in Howard County.

• Indicators for SDG 5

  The article implies qualitative indicators related to the well-being of birthing persons:

  • Qualitative feedback on support: The quote from a participant, “[Doulas are] actually there for you, and you could feel it. It’s made the bond a hundred times better,” suggests that progress can be measured through testimonials and surveys on the well-being and perceived support of mothers in the program.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: cbsnews.com