Effective Perinatal Interventions targeting Vulnerable and Underserved API Communities: Mongolian, Karen and Burmese Population

In recent years, there have been an increasing number of Burmese and Karen refugees as well as Mongolian immigrants to the Oakland, California area. Access to culturally competent perinatal health care has been a struggle for these underserved populations as they navigate through the Western health care system. Specific barriers to maternal health faced by these communities include language and cultural factors, mental health issues (post- traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and adjustment), and a disconnect from social services and resources. To address these barriers, Asian Health Services, a federally qualified community health center, developed a comprehensive prenatal health care model which includes needs assessment, individualized case management, referrals to culturally appropriate community resources and services, and prenatal group education, in Burmese, Karen, and Mongolian languages. While the current model meets many of the immediate needs of these vulnerable prenatal communities, there are some limitations to the services. Poor health literacy and lack of existing community support are examples of challenges to the prevention and wellness of improving maternal health outcomes for newly emerging Asian Pacific Islander groups.