African American Infant and Maternal Mortality Prevention Initiative
Background
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (DPH) in collaboration with the Department of Health Services and First 5 LA launched the African American Infant and Maternal Mortality (AAIMM) Prevention Initiative in 2018 to address persistent disparities in birth outcomes between Black and white babies, as outlined in the report: A Pathway to Equity, which showed that Black/African American babies are two to three times more likely to die before their first birthday than babies of other races, and Black/African American women are four times more likely to die as a result of pregnancy complications than women of other races in LA County. The Initiative uses a racial justice framework to strengthen systems of support for Black moms and babies by centering Black/African American communities and leaders. The goal is to transform public health systems and build critical community infrastructure in places and spaces that Black families trust.
While the initiative is countywide, AAIMM prioritizes four communities with the highest disparities: South LA/South Bay, Antelope Valley, San Fernando Valley/Santa Clarita, and the San Gabriel Valley. In addition to allocating its initial resources to launch a doula pilot for Black expecting mothers and expand access to home visitation, since 2019, DPH has also allocated a portion of its state Perinatal Equity Initiative (PEI) grant to implement locally-driven solutions, including those supported by The Village Fund.
A Public-Private-Community Collaboration
Grantmaking Strategies
The Village Fund will support efforts that support the physical, emotional, and mental well-being of Black women/birthing persons, fathers, partners, and families before, during, after birth including:
- Provide respite care (short-term relief, support, services) before, during, or after birth. Respite care includes services that relieve and/or mitigate stress on mom, baby and family.
- Foster a positive sense of self.
- Increase access to a healthy and joyous birth.
- Test new ideas and/or contribute new discoveries to the body of knowledge around Black infant and maternal health.
- Promote community education and/or engagement through program services.
