Recorded presentation

Los Angeles Best Babies Collaborative, Los Angeles Best Babies Collaborative, 8635 W. Third Street, Suite 160, Los Angeles, CA 90048, 310-423-3176, mclu@ucla.edu

Background: Los Angeles County (LAC) has more than 157,000 births annually and is among the most diverse U.S. metropolitan areas. The Los Angeles Best Babies Collaborative (LABBC) is funded by First 5 LA to identify priorities and strategies for improving pregnancy and birth outcomes in LAC. LABBC consists of partners from community, practice, academia, and public health, and is guided by a community advisory board.

Methods: The following steps were taken to develop the blueprint: 1) selection of conceptual frameworks, 2) community assessment and consensus building using community participatory action research methods, 3) review of the literature for evidence-based best practices, 4) recommendation of priorities and strategies.

Results: 550 individuals and 227 community-based organizations provided input at 29 community meetings across LAC. Several common priority areas emerged: 1) prenatal care access and quality, 2) nutrition, 3) stress and mental health, 4) teen pregnancy services, and 5) economic needs. Eight proven or promising core strategies were identified: 1) prenatal care quality improvement using the Breakthrough Series, focusing on enhanced screening, referral and treatment for maternal smoking, substance use, nutrition, diabetes, infections, stress, depression, domestic violence, and cultural competency; 2) interconception care; 3) outreach; 4) case management; 5) social support including male involvement and family resource centers; 6) health education and messaging; 7) community building including the creation of eight geographically located Healthy Births Learning Collaboratives; and 8) policy and advocacy.

Conclusion: A comprehensive, collaborative, multi-level, evidence-based, and community-driven approach is proposed for improving pregnancy and birth outcomes in LAC.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to

• recognize the multiple determinants of birth outcomes,
• identify evidence-based strategies for improving birth outcomes, and
• apply community participatory action research

Keywords: Birth Outcomes, Participatory Action Research

Related Web page: www.csmc.edu/labbc/index.htm

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: First 5 LA contracts with the LABBC to identify priorities and strategies for the Healthy Births Initiative

Recorded presentation