E6 - The Embrace Project Study: Supporting the Wellbeing of Minority Women along Utah's Wasatch Front through Ancestral Practice

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Full Description: This workshop introduces participants to the unique challenges of addressing maternal mortality and morbidity and diabetes disparities in Utah and an innovative solution developed by the Utah Department of Health (UDOH) Office of Health Disparities (OHD). The Embrace Project Study is an intervention that seeks to reduce health disparities for Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (NHPI) women of childbearing age (18-44) through the University of Utah’s Wellness Bus, a mobile health clinic through the provision of culturally responsive health services. Workshop participants will gain an understanding of the importance of grounding maternal and child health services in cultural traditions and strengths, and the importance of a health equity approach in health and public health work.

This workshop will include a presentation and culturally tailored self-care and mental health affirmation activities that participants in the study go through during their health coaching sessions will include sharing a personal affirmation, reading affirmations together aloud as one group, and sharing responses afterwards.

In designing The Embrace Project Study, the OHD reviewed past outcomes surrounding women’s health, maternal health, and diabetes in Utah, disaggregating data by race and ethnicity in 2020. Health disparities in diabetes, maternal mortality and morbidity, and mental health outcomes were prominent among women of color, particularly among women who are NHPI. Women who are NHPI face higher severe maternal morbidity (203.4 per 10,000 compared to Utah’s 115 per 10,000), account for 2.8% of maternal deaths compared to 1.1% of live births, and experience higher rates of obesity and diabetes, among others.

The Embrace Project Study is rooted in NHPI cultural traditions and practices, it is focused on understanding original and traditional culture practices from each culture’s ancestors were and are protective factors. The study is also rooted in mental health and self-care in order to embrace women in all that they are. Emphasis on mental health and self-care is essential for women in these communities and age groups to center health and wellbeing so they are able to be here for their current and future generations.

The Embrace Project Study demonstrates the necessity of integrating health equity approaches into programs from inception. This project study focuses on providing racial and ethnic minority women knowledge, skills, and resources in a culturally affirming manner, which rely on cultural practices that foster resilience. In the process of advancing health equity, it is crucial to provide actionable race and ethnicity data to decision makers regarding social determinants of health, health disparities, and health equity.

Abbreviated Description: The Embrace Project Study is a community-based participatory research study which seeks to address maternal mortality and morbidity and diabetes disparities among Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (NHPI) women of childbearing age (18-44) in Utah. The project aims to improve knowledge, attitudes, skills, and behaviors related to perinatal health as well as produce changes in biometric measures related to diabetes and diabetes risk factors. Key objectives include increasing understanding about these health disparities, increasing access to culturally and linguistically appropriate services related to these topics for the target population, and measuring change among control and intervention groups.