Associations Between Implementation of the Collaborative Care Model and Disparities in Perinatal Depression Care

Area of Science:

• Maternal Health
• Health Equity
• Collaborative Care Models

Background:

• Racial disparities persist in maternal mental healthcare.
• Depression during pregnancy and postpartum significantly impacts maternal and infant outcomes.
• Effective interventions are needed to address these disparities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of implementing a perinatal collaborative care model on racial disparities in depression care among pregnant and postpartum individuals.
• To assess if the model reduced differences in depression screening and treatment recommendation rates between Black and White individuals.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective cohort study of 4,710 pregnant and postpartum individuals (Black and White).
• Compared depression screening and treatment recommendation frequencies before and after collaborative care model implementation.
• Used propensity score and multivariable models with interaction terms to analyze race-based disparities and effect modification.

Main Results:

• Before implementation, Black individuals were more likely screened but less likely to receive treatment recommendations.
• Implementation of the perinatal collaborative care model was associated with significant reductions in racial disparities for antenatal screening and treatment.
• Post-implementation, no significant racial differences were observed in antenatal screening or treatment recommendations.

Conclusions:

• The perinatal collaborative care model effectively mitigated racial disparities in antenatal depression care.
• This model shows promise as an equity-promoting intervention for improving maternal health outcomes.
• Further research may explore postpartum disparities and long-term impacts.