Community Readiness Model: Addressing Black Infant Mortality Disparity in Columbus, Ohio

In comparison to other wealthy countries, the United States ranks near the bottom for infant mortality.  Ohio’s black infant mortality rates are the second worst in the country.  In 2012, Franklin county black infants died at more than twice the rate of white infants, 12.9 and 6.0, respectively. Assessing a community’s readiness to address the issues of infant mortality is a critical factor in implementing effective interventions to address health disparities but has not been assessed within Ohio’s urban area.  The Community Readiness Model (CRM), a theoretical basis for understanding and increasing community readiness, was implemented to measure community attitudes, perceptions, and knowledge regarding black infant mortality within Columbus.

     Semi-structured key informant interviews with community leaders from in five “hot spot” areas with the highest black infant mortality rates in Franklin County.  The interview primarily consisted of open-ended questions within the following five dimensions: community knowledge of the issue, community knowledge of efforts, community climate, leadership, and resources. The interviews were transcribed, and a mixed-method approach was employed using a quantitative scoring process of the CRM and a thematic analysis of key words. 

     Findings of the Community Readiness assessment validated our study hypothesis about the lack of robust awareness about the issues of black infant mortality amongst community members and leadership.  Results from the study helped guide stage-appropriate strategies provided in the CRM. Recommendations to engage the community included unconventional partnerships, target media campaigns, faith community involvement, planned interventions addressing the social determinants of health and engagement of community leaders.