by Kandiss Edwards
March 20, 2025
Virginia Union College is the primary HBCU to supply two doula programs.
Virginia Union College introduced the launch of a brand new doula certification program, making it the primary traditionally Black faculty or college in Virginia to supply such a program.
The non-public establishment is partnering with the Virginia Board of Well being and Delivery in Coloration, a reproductive well being advocacy and schooling group. The announcement was made throughout a press convention on March 18.
Delivery in Coloration was based by Kenda Sutton-El, who attended the occasion and praised VUU’s dedication to advancing Black maternal well being.
“Anywhere may create their very own doula program, however why not give again to the group that really created the notice round doulas, that really created the notice round Black maternal well being, and really use us as a partnership?” Sutton-El mentioned. “That speaks volumes concerning the character of Virginia Union.”
Sutton-El additionally highlighted the essential want for doulas, particularly inside Black communities, as a part of addressing maternal well being disparities.
“Folks really feel much more comfy speaking to individuals who appear to be them in the case of something health-related,” she mentioned. “And what we do see is plenty of medical doctors really thank us as a result of we’re giving them info that they could not have been capable of get from the affected person.”
In line with the Virginia Division of Well being, Black ladies in Virginia are greater than twice as prone to die from pregnancy-related causes in comparison with white ladies. The disparity is a part of a broader nationwide pattern wherein Black ladies expertise considerably greater maternal mortality charges. Efforts like VUU’s doula program purpose to broaden culturally competent care and scale back these alarming statistics.
In line with the Virginia Maternal Mortality Evaluate Group’s 2024 Annual Report, the variety of pregnancy-associated deaths in Virginia rose from 64 in 2021 to 67 in 2022, with the speed rising from 66.9 to 70.1 per 100,000 stay births.
These statistics underscore the essential want for culturally competent care to handle maternal well being disparities within the state. Initiatives like Virginia Union College’s doula certification program purpose to broaden care and enhance outcomes for Black moms.
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