Return-on-Investment Analysis of an Enhanced Community Doula Program: Pre- and Post-COVID-19 Considerations

Authors: Julie Mottl-Santiago, Dmitry Dukhovny, Emily Feinberg, Jennifer Moore, Victoria Parker, Howard Cabral, Diana Bowser, Gene Declercq

This study looked at whether it’s affordable for Medicaid to pay for community doulas, trained support workers who help during pregnancy, birth, and after delivery. Researchers compared healthcare costs for patients with and without doula support through a program called Best Beginnings for Babies. They found that people with doulas had lower medical costs and better outcomes, like fewer C-sections and less time in the NICU. Even after including the cost of the doula program, it saved money overall. The results show that offering doula support is a cost-effective way to help low-income families.