Menu
Close
Funded Projects

Addressing Black Infant Mortality in Wisconsin through a Collaborative Health Equity Approach to Community-Based, Group Prenatal Care and Infant Support

Outcome Report
Awarded in 2018
New Investigator Program
Updated May 7, 2025

At a Glance

This project, led by Dr. Jasmine Zapata, aimed to evaluate the feasibility and preliminary outcomes of the Today Not Tomorrow Pregnancy and Infant-Support Program (TNT-PISP). TNT-PISP is a collaborative community-based prenatal care and support group in Dane County that was uniquely designed to serve Black women and infants. Wisconsin’s Black infant mortality rate is the highest in the nation and there is increasing evidence that models of prenatal care that are community-driven, group-based, culturally-relevant and family-centered have the potential to significantly improve maternal and infant health outcomes.

The TNT-PISP generated significant short-, medium- and long-term impacts. The program provided valuable peer support and resources for Black mothers, with 98 percent of participants sharing that they would be willing to return. Thematic analyses highlighted positive effects of the program, including providing peer support, a safe space for Black mothers to share their experiences and valuable information about resources for parents, breastfeeding and community-based doula programs.

The Challenge

Wisconsin’s Black infant mortality rate is the highest in the nation as Black babies are almost three times as likely to die before their first birthday compared to white babies. The number one cause of infant mortality among Black babies are complications of prematurity. The factors leading to inequities in preterm birth and infant mortality are complex and multifactorial; therefore, multidisciplinary and innovative approaches to prenatal and interconception care are critical to improve these outcomes. There is increasing evidence showing that models of prenatal care that are community-driven, group-based, culturally-relevant and family-centered have the potential to significantly decrease Black prematurity rates and improve other maternal and infant health measures. Evidence-based community interventions that have shown promise thus far include community-based doula programs, group-based models of prenatal care and community-based pregnancy support groups.

Project Goals

This project proposed the implementation of a novel approach that combines aspects of all three of the aforementioned evidenced-based models: the Today Not Tomorrow Pregnancy and Infant-Support Program (TNT-PISP). TNT-PISP is a collaborative community-based prenatal care and support group in Dane County that was uniquely designed to serve Black women and infants. This project aimed to launch a program of clinical research on the TNT-PISP that would:

    1. Determine the feasibility and acceptability of TNT-PISP.
    2. Investigate systems-level facilitators and barriers to this collaborative academic health care/community-based partnership.
    3. Assess preliminary outcomes of this novel approach.

Results

The TNT-PISP generated significant short-, medium- and long-term impacts throughout the grant period. The sessions, which included welcome activities, educational presentations by doulas and discussion time, were initially held in person from January through March 2020 before being shifted to a virtual format due to the pandemic. Each monthly support session was attended by about ten women, and 98 percent of survey respondents said they would return again in the future. Despite the transition to virtual sessions, the researchers were able to collect qualitative data from over 50 Black women in Dane County. Thematic analyses from focus groups, surveys and interviews highlighted the sessions’ positive effects, such as providing peer support, a safe space for Black mothers to share their experiences and valuable information about resources for parents, breastfeeding and community-based doula programs. Medium-term impacts included the use of post-session surveys to inform community partners, facilitating tailored wrap-around services and social support on an as-needed basis. Long-term, the project has contributed to improved birth outcomes by strengthening support and protective factors for Black mothers.

More about the New Investigator Program

More Funded Projects

community icon: shaking hands and group of people
Community Impact Grant

Improving Birth Outcomes for Black Families through Community-Clinic Collaborations

Awarded in 2019
This project, led by the Dane County Health Council and the Foundation for Black Women’s Wellness, aims to reduce racial inequities in birth outcomes through care coordination. Wisconsin has the highest Black infant mortality rate in the country, and Black infants born in Dane County are two times more likely to die in their first year of life than white infants. Factors contributing to racial disparities in birth outcomes are attributable to social and economic challenges in Dane County, including inadequate housing, food insecurity, lower educational attainment, fewer economic opportunities, poverty and structural racism. The project has made significant progress toward its goals in the first three years. ConnectRx is a closed-loop referral system developed in partnership with Epic Systems and UW Health and launched in April 2022. ConnectRx allows providers to make social prescriptions and integrates over 1,200 unique resources into patients’ electronic health records. Six Black female community health workers were hired to enhance maternal care teams, and a partnership with the Foundation for Black Women’s Wellness provided doula support. These efforts have resulted in assistance for over 200 Black birthing persons and their families, addressing needs such as rental assistance, homelessness prevention, mental health support, job-related assistance and food pantry referrals.
research icon: microscope and stethoscope
Collaborative Health Sciences Program

Towards an Integrated Understanding of Stress, Inflammation and Immune Response

Outcome Report
Awarded in 2018
High stress levels and obesity both have consequences for immune cell function and inflammation. This project, led by David Beebe, PhD, professor, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, aimed to explore the intersection between lifestyle factors, like diet and meditation, and inflammation. High stress levels and obesity both have consequences for immune cell function and inflammation. Previous work at UW–Madison has shown how immune cells respond to injury and help resolve inflammation and that the immune response can be influenced by stress and meditation. However, little research has focused on linking these findings. The research team investigated the links between sugar consumption and stress on immune response by studying blood samples before and after sugar intake. Within one hour of ingestion, the immune cells exhibited heightened activity, suggesting that sugar intake can significantly impact the function of these cells. The team studied mindfulness practices in lupus patients and found initial evidence that these interventions may influence immune response and offer non-pharmacological insights for managing autoimmune conditions.