EMBRACE

Co-Investigators: Marquis Hawkins and the University of Pittsburgh’s EMBRACE team

Black women are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women in the United States. EMBRACE is a community-centered research initiative focused on improving pregnancy and postpartum health for Black birthing people by addressing structural barriers, care gaps, and inequities. It is made up of 3 main components:

• Community Component: EMBRACE centers the voices of community members by partnering with them in perinatal research. Aim 1 ensures community involvement across all research areas, and Aim 2 builds a network of maternal health partners by looking at strengths and accomplishments that already exist in the region.
• Training Component: The Training Component trains and supports researchers, community partners, and advocates working in maternal and reproductive health. It provides services such as mentorship, hands-on research and training, and education in reproductive justice and anti-racism to support community-centered care.
• 4th Trimester-ICC: This component evaluates whether interconception care and the 4th Trimester model help people access postpartum care earlier and more often, especially Black birthing people. It works with community partners to co-develop a community-informed postpartum care model, then implements and tests this model across five Pittsburgh clinics.

OPTIMIZE

PI: Marquis Hawkins

OPTIMIZE is a research study focused on improving health during pregnancy and the year after birth by understanding how sleep affects weight, heart health, and mental well-being. The study has three goals:

• Interview pregnant and postpartum participants in 60-minute sessions to learn what affects their sleep and health and which sleep strategies feel realistic
• Analyze data from an existing pregnancy lifestyle trial (HABIT) to estimate what outcomes might have looked like if sleep support had been included
• Identify sleep patterns that help predict who benefits most

The study aims to inform future pregnancy and postpartum programs that better support long-term health.

Read the Graphical Abstract

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ADAPT

Co-lead by Marquis Hawkins and Demia Tyler in collaboration with Healthy Start Pittsburgh

ADAPT is a clinical research study focused on improving postpartum health for Black postpartum individuals, who face higher rates of serious pregnancy-related complications. The aims of the study are:

• Interviews: We will conduct focus groups with Black pregnant and postpartum individuals to explore lived experiences and preferences related to sleep, physical activity, diet, and other health behaviors. Focus groups with Community Health Workers will focus on training needs, workload balance, and resources required to deliver an effective sleep-focused intervention.
• Pilot Trial: We will pilot test the intervention by enrolling 10 Black postpartum individuals for 6 weeks to evaluate the intervention’s feasibility and acceptability.

This study’s purpose is to reduce postpartum health inequities by working with Black families and Community Health Workers to develop a culturally responsive, feasible approach to supporting sleep and cardiovascular health during the postpartum period.

View the Infographic

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