Community Health Worker-Delivered Interventions for Perinatal Mental Health in the United States

A Scoping Review

Datos Bibliográficos

ID19578252
AutoresAnna Halpin-McCormick (0000-0003-1008-1134, Department of Family Science, School of Public Health, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA.), Anna Paden McCormick (University of Maryland, College Park, autor de correspondencia), Marie E Thoma (0000-0001-9267-4384, University of Maryland, College Park), Lindsay Mallick (0000-0002-4303-875X, University of Maryland, College Park), Lindsay M Mallick (Department of Family Science, School of Public Health, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA.), Nedelina Tchangalova (0000-0002-8491-6205, University of Maryland, College Park), Gabriel Dogbanya (0009-0008-9286-8187, University of Maryland, College Park), Rebecca A Gourevitch (0000-0001-7656-0811, University of Maryland, College Park), Mona Mittal (0000-0003-4882-4335, University of Maryland, College Park)
Año2026
Volumen10
Páginas24731242261434365-24731242261434365
Fecha de publicación2026-01-01
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaHealth Equity (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 2473-1242 • E-ISSN: 2473-1242
EditorialSAGE Publications (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/24731242261434365
PMID42534478
OpenAlexW7141805571
IdiomaEN
Referencias citadas68

Background: Maternal health in the United States is in crisis, and perinatal mental health conditions are emerging as a critical contributor to maternal morbidity and mortality. Perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs) encompass a range of mental health disorders experienced during pregnancy and 1 year after delivery. Expanding the perinatal mental health workforce to include paraprofessionals could help address a national shortage of mental health professionals. Objective: This scoping review aims to investigate the literature on perinatal mental health interventions delivered by community health workers (CHWs) or paraprofessionals in the United States. Methods: Studies on interventions addressing perinatal mental health were included if delivered by CHWs or paraprofessionals in the United States. Seven databases were searched via EBSCO through August 29, 2025. No publication year limits were applied. Results were exported to Zotero for deduplication, Catchii for screening, and Excel for data extraction and analysis. Risk of bias was not assessed. Results: After removing 4148 duplicates from the 7524 records identified, 3376 records were screened, and 13 studies met the inclusion criteria. CHW-delivered interventions for PMADs in the United States varied in design, content, and implementation. Most were initiated during the antenatal period, extended postnatally, and targeted primary prevention of depression symptoms. Ten studies evaluated outcomes among predominantly low-income, Latina, or Black mothers in urban environments. Interventions enhanced social support, cognitive, emotional, behavioral, parenting, and practical skills. Intervention results varied. Most studies reported positive effects: all nonexperimental designs found statistically significant improvements in depressive symptoms, and many experimental designs demonstrated statistically significant improvements in depressive symptoms among women receiving adequate intervention dosage. Conclusions: This review expands knowledge of perinatal mental health interventions delivered by CHWs and health paraprofessionals in the United States, including information about populations served, CHWs, intervention characteristics, and outcomes. Gaps in evidence and recommendations for future research are presented

Anxiety · Inclusion (mineral) · Intervention (counseling) · MEDLINE · Mental health · Mood · Psychological intervention · Workforce · Infant Development and Preterm Care · Maternal Mental Health During Pregnancy and Postpartum · Mental Health Treatment and Access