230026 Developing a community collaborative to address our increasing African American infant mortality rate

Wednesday, November 10, 2010 : 10:30 AM - 10:48 AM

Rita Beam, MS, RN , Nursing Division, Tri - County Health Department, Englewood, CO
Ellena Spaght, BS , Aurora
     
Learning Objectives:

• Describe how a community collaborative created local action to address the African American infant mortality rate • Identify how to define the problem by conducting a perinatal periods of risk analysis • Discuss the national agenda to continue research about the social and economic burden of racial inequity and infant mortality • List 3 steps that contributed to gaining support of the city policy makers • List 3 recommendations to inform communities forming a community collaborative to address a health disparity

Background

The program was initiated in a western city U. S. suburb with a 14% African American population compared to 4% statewide. This initiative was led by a local team with representatives from Healthy Start, Colorado Chapter of the March of Dimes, city government and public health. A community collaborative was formed in 2007, to address African American infant mortality. A Perinatal Periods of Risk analysis guided the action plan, and the team participated in a national action learning collaborative sponsored by three national health associations to explore the possible impact of racial inequity on African American Infant mortality.

Methods: Oral only

Results

The PPOR analysis revealed that for the 2003 – 07 time period, there were 27,318 births, 162 fetal deaths, and 197 infant deaths in this identified population. Of those, 4.194 (15.4%) births, 39 (24.1%) fetal deaths and 57 (28.9%) infant deaths were non Hispanic black. This data is being utilized to continue to increase the focus on this health disparity, promote health equity and guide interventions in this community. The program was designated as a city initiative in fall of 2009 by the city council.

Conclusions

This fetal and infant mortality disparity continues to persist between African American and non-African American populations. A community collaborative can play a role in focusing attention on possible causes, including health equity and perceived racial discrimination.

Learning Areas:
Advocacy for health and health education
Epidemiology
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Program planning
Public health or related public policy

Learning Objectives:
•Describe how a community collaborative created local action to address the African American infant mortality rate •Identify how to define the problem by conducting a perinatal periods of risk analysis •Discuss the national agenda to continue research about the social and economic burden of racial inequity and infant mortality •List 3 steps that contributed to gaining support of the city policy makers •List 3 recommendations to inform communities forming a community collaborative to address a health disparity

Keywords: Community Collaboration, Infant Mortality

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am the Nurse Manager, Perinatal Services for Tri-County Health Department (TCHD) with over 37 years of nursing experience in the MCH field. I am responsible for the Title V MCH funds for TCHD. I have a masters in public health nursing and initiated this community collaborative. I have also participated in a recent National Action Learning Collaborative to learn more about racism and the impact on this health disparity.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

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