NYC Audit Reveals Doula Programs Improve Birth Outcomes in

The **New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene**'s administration of the **Citywide Doula Initiative** has led to increased access to doula services in underserved neighborhoods. According to the audit report, **Black and Hispanic women** who participated in the program experienced better birth outcomes, including lower rates of **C-sections**, **low birth weights**, and **pre-term births**. However, **Asian American/Pacific Islander (AAPI) and White** participants had less positive outcomes, and participation rates were lower. The report also highlights the need for additional **non-English-speaking doulas** and **translation/interpretation services**. For more information, visit the [[nyc-department-of-health-and-mental-hygiene|NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene]] website or learn about the [[citywide-doula-initiative|Citywide Doula Initiative]].

• The Citywide Doula Initiative has increased access to doula services in underserved neighborhoods
• Black and Hispanic women who participated in the program experienced better birth outcomes
• The program faces challenges in implementation and sustainability, including limited participation rates among AAPI and White women
• The NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene could consider expanding the program and addressing the challenges identified in the audit report
• Doula services can play a critical role in improving maternal and child health outcomes

The audit report provides a balanced view of the **Citywide Doula Initiative**'s effectiveness. While the program has shown promise in improving birth outcomes, there are still areas for improvement, such as increasing participation rates among **AAPI and White women** and addressing access issues for clients in shelters. To address these issues, the **NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene** could consider conducting further research on the effectiveness of doula services in different populations. For more information on the effectiveness of doula services, visit the [[doula-effectiveness|Doula Effectiveness]] page.

The audit report highlights the positive impact of doula services on birth outcomes, particularly for **Black and Hispanic women**. This is a significant step forward in addressing health disparities in underserved neighborhoods. With continued investment and expansion of the **Citywide Doula Initiative**, we can expect to see even better outcomes for women and families. As noted by [[american-college-of-nurse-midwives|American College of Nurse-Midwives]], doula services can play a critical role in improving birth outcomes.

Despite the positive findings, the audit report also highlights significant challenges in implementing and sustaining the **Citywide Doula Initiative**. The lack of consistency in doula services for clients in shelters and the need for additional non-English-speaking doulas and translation services are major concerns. Without addressing these issues, the program's effectiveness may be limited, and health disparities may persist. As noted by [[national-perinatal-association|National Perinatal Association]], addressing these issues will require a comprehensive approach that involves multiple stakeholders, including **healthcare providers**, **community organizations**, and **government agencies**.

Originally reported by NYC.gov