Did you miss today's newsletter? No worries! View it here: mailchi.mp/b6efa6b874c1... You can sign up to stay in touch for upcoming news and events: embrace.pitt.edu/stay-connect...

The EMBRACE team just published a protocol for our pilot mixed-methods intervention study! Read more about our research here: bmjopen.bmj.com/content/16/1...

On November 5 @ 1 pm, Ngozi Tibbs will discuss approaches to intimacy that honor the mother’s comfort, boundaries, and changing needs, as well as a couple’s “new normal.” Find more info here: live-embrace-pitt.pantheonsite.io/event/embrac... RVSP link : pitt.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...

On September 28th, a bill advanced through the Board of Health and is on its way to the County Council for a final vote in #AlleghenyCounty that would allow for paid parental leave for new parents.

Join Dr. Ashley Hill as she Explores the Effects of Extreme Weather on Pregnancy Outcomes on Thursday, October 8 from 1-2:30pm. RSVP at tinyurl.com/EMBRACESeminar

Pittsburgh-area parents, have you had a baby in the last year? If so, we want to talk to you! bit.ly/4pHnV6G

Congratulations to Liz Monk on her promotion to the Director of the Western PA Regional Data Center! Thank you for helping lead our Data Justice team!

We're excited to have Dr. Martina Anto-Ocrah alongside Ngozi Tibbs as co-leaders for EMBRACE Training Component!

Kyle Ross (he/him) has joined the EMBRACE team as the Training Component Coordinator! Welcome to the team!

Congratulations to Bob Gradeck on your promotion to the Director of Strategic Partnerships! Thank you for helping lead our Data Justice team!

Doulas continue to see racial inequities in care. While Medicaid coverage can expand access, credentialing, enrollment, and administrative barriers can make it harder for doulas to do their work. Read more about this work here ➡ pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC...

Myana (Mothers, you are not alone) is a comprehensive postpartum support app designed to help birthing parents make informed decisions about their health and well-being throughout the first year after birth. Read more about how Myana was built here ➡ pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC...

We had such a great time last week filming our new podcast, EMBRACE Today! We filmed our entire first season interviewing researchers, advocates, and community members across Allegheny County. Stay tuned for more!

Join Dr. Mehret Birru Talabi this Thursday from 3:30-5 at Alan Magee Scaife Hall for her talk, "From Framework to Practice: A Research Agenda for Sexual and Reproductive Health in Rheumatology." calendar.pitt.edu/event/from-f...

From Framework to Practice: A Research Agenda for Sexual and Reproductive Health in Rheumatology

calendar.pitt.edu

Our Data Justice Working Group is building community power by advancing equitable, transparent, and accessible data practices. Together with the community, we're strengthening collaboration and shaping research that drives knowledge justice and meaningful impact.

This week is Black Maternal Mental Health Week, a time to recognize that maternal mental health in Allegheny County matters and that Black mothers are facing unique challenges and disparities in accessing mental health support.

Erricka Hager, PhD, MPH (she/her) has just joined EMBRACE as a Postdoctoral Associate!

Have you met our artist in residence, Alecia Dawn Young? Alecia is a ceramic artist, scholar, and wellness practitioner whose artistic work is deeply rooted in Black cultural traditions, specifically drawing inspiration from hair care rituals, collectivism, and community archives.

Thank Cafe Nikki P for the amazing food! We appreciate you and what you bring to our community!

Did you miss our newsletter? No worries! You can check it out here in case you missed it in your inbox mailchi.mp/30bcc040fe75...

“When families lack access to safe housing or basic resources, it directly impacts infant safety...If we want to save lives, we must invest in communities, strengthen maternal health, and meet families with compassion and culturally responsive care.” www.pennlive.com/health/2026/...

Increase in infant sleeping deaths is ‘public health crisis,’ says one Pa. county

Every 2024 case in the county included at least one unsafe sleep factor.

pennlive.com

Today, we honor and celebrate Juneteenth! At EMBRACE, we continuously work to advance maternal & reproductive health equity & justice through research, training, practice, & policy efforts focused on Black birthing people. Celebrate Juneteenth this weekend: www.visitpittsburgh.com/events-festi...

As part of the EMBRACE summer book club we will be reading Torn apart: how the child welfare system destroys Black families — and how abolition can build a safer world by Dorothy Roberts. Register here for the Zoom information to join: pitt.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...

A survey of people nationwide who gave birth in 2023 and 2024 found those using Medicaid described worse outcomes than those on private insurance, access to care remains limited for some, and women often feel unheard and disregarded during pregnancy and labor and delivery. From @stateline.org

Nationwide survey shows ongoing struggles for pregnant patients on Medicaid • Pennsylvania Capital-Star

A survey of more than 3,800 people nationwide who gave birth in 2023 and 2024 found those using Medicaid described worse outcomes than those on private insurance.

penncapital-star.com

Our training component supports early-stage investigators in community-engaged maternal and reproductive health equity through mentorship, training, and capacity building.

The number of babies who died from Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID) is on the rise in Allegheny County. “Taking action as a community means speaking openly and without blame,” said Jada Shirriel. www.post-gazette.com/news/health/...

Preventable infant deaths on the rise in Allegheny County

Allegheny County has seen a dramatic increase in infant deaths over the last several years — nearly all of them preventable. Public health officials...

post-gazette.com

Help defend an independent, expert-led scientific review process. You can take action by submitting a public comment by July 13th, 2026 to ensure reproductive justice perspectives are represented at bit.ly/NIHpubliccomment.

Are you pregnant or recently had a baby? Or are you a perinatal care and family support provider? Join our research study and help us co-design a sleep health program! Learn more and get involved by emailing momstudy@pitt.edu or calling 412-360-8225.

Black birthing people face disproportionately high rates of maternal mortality, yet most pregnancy-related deaths are preventable. Our team is developing a model of actionable postpartum care strategies to improve postpartum health and well-being of Black birthing people.

Dr. Stacy Bartlett recently published A Guide to Implementing Fourth-Trimester Care in a Family Medicine Practice, emphasizing how earlier contact with patients during the postpartum period is important for assessing complications and preventing maternal morbidity. www.aafp.org/fpm/2026/050...

A Guide to Implementing Fourth-Trimester Care in a Family Medicine Practice

Earlier contact with patients during the postpartum period is important for assessing complications and preventing maternal morbidity.

aafp.org