Accelerating birth equity using collaborative systems mapping

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Systems Science
• Health Equity

Background:

• Achieving birth equity requires innovative, cross-sector collaboration to address complex systemic barriers.
• This project utilized systems thinking and the Remove, Repair, Remediate, Restructure, and Provide (R4P) framework to understand and dismantle these barriers.
• The study focused on identifying key actors within the system and the critical actions necessary to promote birth equity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To apply systems thinking and the R4P framework to identify systemic barriers to birth equity.
• To develop actionable tools for diverse stakeholders to advance birth equity.
• To foster a holistic approach to understanding and addressing the root causes of birth inequity.

Main Methods:

• Employed systems thinking tools within the R4P framework through collaborative, iterative activities.
• Conducted an environmental scan and synthesized existing reports on birth equity recommendations.
• Engaged diverse birth equity stakeholders in systems mapping workshops to co-create tools.

Main Results:

• Developed an innovative Birth Equity Ecosystem Map, Birth Equity Iceberg, and interactive Birth Equity Action Map.
• The Birth Equity Ecosystem Map synthesizes recommendations for an equitable system.
• The Birth Equity Action Map identifies systemic barriers, critical actions, and responsible actors, organized by the R4P framework dimensions.

Conclusions:

• Systems thinking and the R4P framework provide a holistic and effective approach to achieving birth equity.
• The developed tools offer actionable insights for public health initiatives.
• Birth equity advocates can use these tools to assess resources, identify priorities, and collectively advance equity.