Beyond the borders of disparity: Partnership of faith groups and health agencies in African American communities

Background: The African American population in Antelope Valley, California struggles with significant health disparities related to infant and maternal health and has the second highest rate of unmet need for family planning services in the state. In response, the Faith Based Coalition (FBC) and the Antelope Valley Black Infant Health program (AV-BIH) have developed an effective partnership that strives to eliminate disproportionate rates of infant mortality and low birth weights and to improve other health status related indicators.

Methods: The March of Dimes and the California Family Health Council provide funding to the Black Infant Health program to promote the expansion and recruitment of African American Churches within the FBC. The FBC serves as an extensive network through which the Black Infant Health program is implemented. Strategies include a comprehensive media and marketing campaign promoting healthy pregnancies, referrals to health and social support services, and family planning health education.

Results: The FBC network of churches enabled the program to reach populations that struggle with barriers to healthcare access including cost or lack of insurance, transportation, lack of childcare, distrust of medical offices, and concern with other survival priorities.

Conclusions: The partnership between the faith based community and health related agencies was a core element in the success of this program. Creating and strengthening a network of faith based churches allows for more effective dissemination of health related messages among difficult to reach populations. Evaluation results continue to inform future directions for the FBC and the Black Infant Health Program.