HealthConnect One Scales Doula Campaign to Tackle Maternal Health Gaps

The expansion arrives as public health data underscores the critical role of community-based support. In Illinois, maternal hypertension has climbed 103% over the last decade, with rates among Black women reaching 16.8%. HealthConnect One, currently marking its 40th anniversary, frames the doula not as a wellness luxury but as a direct clinical intervention capable of identifying early complications and connecting families to essential care.

Dr. Twylla Dillion, the organization’s President and CEO, noted that the model relies on meeting families within their own neighborhoods and language. By partnering with local community groups, the campaign seeks to bridge the gap between families and Medicaid-reimbursed doula services. The initiative features mobile lounges, peer-matching services, and educational programs focused on the first 1,000 days of life, spanning from prenatal care through early postpartum support.

In Chicago, the campaign will host a series of pop-up events at community anchors, including Washington Park and East Garfield Park, supported by local collectives such as the Chicago Black Doula Alliance. This outreach aligns with a broader national shift, as 75% of states now move toward Medicaid reimbursement for doula services. The organization is currently seeking corporate partners to sustain the five-city rollout as it scales its proven framework for birth equity.