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Preeclampsia nonprofit puts new spin on old drug to close maternal health equity gap
  • Publisher:Phexcom
  • Publication:2025/1/23

The Preeclampsia Foundation has found a formula for closing the maternal health equity gap: Mix one part equity-forward preeclampsia education with one part low-dose aspirin prophylaxis and voilà, you have GAP—SPIRIN, a campaign the nonprofit believes can address a persistent health inequity.

The United States Preventive Services Taskforce recommends low-dose aspirin to prevent preeclampsia in people who are at high risk of the disorder in pregnancy. The recommendation was based on 18 trials that linked low-dose aspirin to reduced risk of preterm birth. Yet, while a proven intervention exists, the condition remains a health threat, particularly for Black women, who are 60% more likely to develop preeclampsia.

“Black women are still three times more likely to die from pregnancy than white women, even though one of the leading causes of maternal death for Black mothers, a serious hypertensive disorder called preeclampsia, can be delayed and often prevented,” the Preeclampsia Foundation said in a video.

The 90-second video covers the launch of GAP—SPIRIN, the nonprofit’s attempt to close the gap. The intervention the Preeclampsia Foundation is pushing—low-dose aspirin—is an old drug, but GAP—SPIRIN has packaged it as a high-end product. Literally: The video features premium-looking black GAP—SPIRIN pill bottles that include a QR code directing physicians to resources about the problem and treatment.

The Preeclampsia Foundation is sending the packages to community healthcare providers in the five New York zip codes where preeclampsia has the highest risk but the lowest diagnosis rate. As the voiceover on the video discusses the targets of the campaign, the logos of healthcare providers such as Columbia University Medical Center and Mount Sinai flash up on the screen.

While the initial geographic focus is narrow, the nonprofit said it will continue to promote GAP—SPIRIN this year and “will be working to deliver this life-saving prevention tool to community health workers across the country.”