Enhancing Maternal and Birthing Outcomes and Reproductive HeAlth through Community Engagement (EMBRACE) Center

There are longstanding adverse maternal and reproductive health outcomes in the US that have increased over time. Researchers, community leaders and clinicians are increasingly advocating for and innovating approaches that center and empower the community’s lived experience. The Enhancing Maternal and Birthing outcomes and Reproductive HeAlth through Community Engagement (EMBRACE) Center is a multidisciplinary community-academic partnership to advance maternal and reproductive health in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, and augment training in community-informed health approaches for care providers, researchers, and policy advocates. Leveraging existing and developing relationships, as well as our leadership expertise, the EMBRACE Center consists of a key research project related to integration of enhanced postpartum (4th trimester) and interconception care given the high rates of pregnancy-associated and pregnancy-related health complications in our region. Two components (Community and Training) will provide support and structure across the Center to ensure community partnership and thought leadership in all phases of the work and training and capacity building for community-centered care. In line with the Center’s vision, researchers and community collaborators will employ power-sharing approaches. We expect the work of EMBRACE to result in sustainable methods and interventions that will advance maternal health and well-being.