Description
In Wisconsin, Black women and birthing people disproportionally experience higher incidences of hypertension (high blood pressure) during pregnancy and the postpartum period. Hypertension during pregnancy and after birth can cause seizures, strokes, preterm births, and a complication that threatens the lives of birthing people and babies known as preeclampsia. Preeclampsia can lead to chronic health issues for birthing people and their babies, and is the number one cause of maternal mortality for Black women and birthing people. Maternal mortality rates are significantly higher for Black women and birthing people compared to non-Black women and birthing people. Early intervention to monitor blood pressure regularly during pregnancy and after birth can help Black women and birthing people detect issues so they can receive timely treatment to prevent further complications for themselves and their babies.
The Core Research Project (CRP) of the UWPRC, Adaptation of Staying Healthy After Childbirth (STAC) to Prevent and Reduce Racial Disparities in Postpartum Morbidity and Mortality, seeks to improve access to the Staying healthy After Childbirth program (STAC) for Black women and birthing people in Wisconsin. The evidence-based STAC program is designed to monitor blood pressure during pregnancy and after birth by providing pregnant and postpartum people with home monitoring blood pressure kits that sends daily blood pressure readings to an individual’s healthcare team. The CRP is working with the CRP’s STAC Community Advisory Board, UWPRC Community Advisory Board, UWPRC Translational Partners Panel, and healthcare organizations to culturally adapt, refine and implement STAC to provide remote pregnancy support and blood pressure care in community-based organizations serving diverse communities of Black women and birthing people throughout the state, such as doula organizations and public health departments.
Specific Aims
Aim 1: Adapt, refine, and evaluate the STAC program with healthcare and community-based organizations providing perinatal care to Black pregnant and birthing persons.
Aim 2: Evaluate the reach, adoption, fidelity, cost, and effectiveness of the modified STAC program.
Aim 3: Assess sustainability after CRP completion and disseminate CRP approaches, methods, tools, products, lessons learned, and findings to community, public health practitioners, and academic audiences.
Core Research Project Team
Andy Garbacz, PhD
Position title: Associate Director of Translation & Core Research Project Multiple Principle Investigator
Media
- Kirwan, H. Blood pressure program hopes to reach more new mothers in Dane, Milwaukee counties. Wisconsin Public Radio. September 30, 2024. https://www.wpr.org/news/blood-pressure-staying-healthy-after-childbirth-program-mothers-dane-milwaukee-county
- Ribley, R. Blood pressure monitoring program for new and expectant mothers to expand. WKOW. September 30, 2024. https://www.wkow.com/news/health/blood-pressure-monitoring-program-for-new-and-expectant-mothers-to-expand/article_c107a6ac-7f2d-11ef-af8c-07c0f4b41e63.html
- Morales, A. UW Health expanding maternal blood pressure program. WBAY. October 2, 2024. https://www.wbay.com/2024/10/02/uw-health-expanding-maternal-blood-pressure-program/