Building community capacity to reduce infant mortality and low birthweight in a rural and diverse population

Robeson county, North Carolina has a diverse socially and economically underrepresented population with 38.0% Native and 25.1% African Americans suffering high infant mortality largely caused by low birthweight. To address significant health concerns and relevant cultural and linguistic barriers, the Healthy Start Corps project (HSC), partnered with Robeson County Health Department (RCHD) for perinatal care, implemented a diverse team of lay health advisors (LHA) reaching deep into diverse communities and providing a lead role in developing the scope of health-risk educational awareness seminars identifying consumers in high-risk communities using advanced geographical information technology. LHA periodically conducted infant mortality and morbidity reviews to determine priority locations for perinatal education and training workshops. Underserved pregnant women identified during the workshops are then linked by the LHA with RCHD for timely interventions and care; follow-up services verify client receipt of needed care. LHA assist in local and national meetings with legislators substantiating the importance of relationship building while serving high-risk minority populations; legislative appropriation has been achieved; minority infant mortality has been substantially reduced countywide and low birthweight has decreased since 2000. LHA assist in defining objectives and action plans and participate in assessment of outcomes.