Research Report Understanding Training and Workforce Pathways to Develop and Retain Black Maternal Health Clinicians in California
Eona Harrison, Faith Mitchell, Leandra Lacy, Kimá Joy Taylor, Lauren Fung
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Despite evidence that greater diversity in health professions increases quality of care, the maternal health field has made little progress on increasing and sustaining the number of Black maternal health care workers. In this study, Urban researchers examine opportunities for and barriers to increasing the workforce of Black obstetrician/gynecologists (OB/GYNs), labor and delivery (L&D) nurses, and midwives, especially in light of the ongoing US maternal health crisis. Through interviews with Black maternal health clinicians and training program staff, we recommend actions that federal and state policymakers, leaders at higher education and health system institutions, and philanthropies can take to address structural barriers to entering and staying within the field and to support a thriving workforce.

Research Areas Health and health care Race and equity Workforce
Tags Black/African American communities Health equity Maternal, child, and reproductive health Workforce development Public health Racial inequities in employment Structural racism
Policy Centers Metropolitan Housing and Communities Policy Center
Research Methods Qualitative data analysis
States California