Becker’s Healthcare Podcast Expanding Access to Doula Care to Improve Maternal Health with Dr. Cynthia Brown
Dec 13, 2025
Dr. Cynthia Brown, a board-certified obstetrician and gynecologist at Elevance Health, advocates for expanding doula services to enhance maternal health outcomes. She discusses how doulas can reduce racial disparities by fostering trust and cultural alignment. The conversation highlights the long-term benefits, such as fewer C-sections and improved mental health. Dr. Brown also encourages industry leaders to embrace doula coverage for safer pregnancies and greater empowerment of mothers.
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Doula Care Shows Consistent Clinical Benefits
- Doula care consistently improved maternal outcomes such as fewer C-sections, reduced preterm births, and lower NICU admissions.
- Elevance expanded doulas into select employer plans after piloting and building credentialing and reimbursement infrastructure.
Build Infrastructure Before Scaling
- Build infrastructure before scaling: create credentialing pathways, reimbursement models, and workforce partnerships.
- Partner with doula organizations to grow a workforce that reflects the communities you serve.
Culturally Aligned Doulas Reduce Disparities
- Community-based doulas who share culture and language build trust and strengthen outcomes in underserved populations.
- Trusted support makes women more likely to speak up, helping prevent complications.