In collaboration with colleagues at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and Penn Psychiatry, we are exploring the disproportionate impact that the pandemic has had on the well-being of vulnerable populations in the US, including Black people. The impact on pregnant women is of special concern for the intrauterine and postnatal development of their offspring. In prior and ongoing work, we have shown that Black pregnant women reported greater likelihood of having their employment negatively impacted, more concerns about a lasting economic burden, and more worries about their prenatal care, birth experience, and post-natal needs. Resilience factors, including self-reliance and emotion regulation, were higher in Black women as well. At the same time, Black women were at heightened risk for postpartum depression, especially in the context of experiencing more racism. Racial disparities related to COVID-19 in pregnant women can advance the understanding of pregnancy related stressors and improve early identification of mental health needs.

Relevant peer-reviewed publications