Prior to the pandemic, Black women were three to four times more likely to die from complications related to pregnancy than their white counterparts. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated these health disparities by its disproportionate impact on BIPOC communities, due in part to differences in social determinants of health including institutional racism and the overrepresentation of BIPOC and queer people as essential workers required to have high risk exposures during Shelter in Place orders. Furthermore, once infected with COVID-19, BIPOC populations appear to be at an increased risk of experiencing severe and critical disease and increased mortality.

To ensure the PRIORITY study population represents the true population of people most effected by COVID-19, it is necessary that BIPOC and queer pregnant people enroll in PRIORITY. 

The PRIORITY Community Advisory Council will provide input and guidance on all study activities and engage with Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities that have a high incidence and fatality rate from COVID-19 to assure that the study goals, conduct, and outcomes are aligned with the research needs of BIPOC and queer communities. The full council will meet monthly.

For a list of council members, click here.

We will deploy the Research Priorities of Affected Communities (RPAC) in regions of the U.S. impacted by COVID-19, to determine the healthcare, research, and policy questions that are important to BIPOC and queer communities.