Answering a Crisis: Virginia Union Launches Landmark Program to Combat Maternal Mortality

Virginia Union University has unveiled an innovative six-week Doula Certification Program, the first of its kind at a historically Black college or university (HBCU), aimed at combating the alarming maternal mortality rates. This program equips professionals to provide essential support to mothers pre- and post-delivery, ensuring culturally aware care for families throughout the Commonwealth. Alarmingly, in 2023, Black women in the U.S. faced a maternal mortality rate nearly 3.5 times that of their White counterparts. This initiative is a crucial step toward addressing this disparity.