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Black Infant Health Program: Empowering African American Women for Improved Maternal and Infant Health

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Black Infant Health Program

The social, economic, and racial pressures play a significant role in poor outcomes for African-American infants, including premature birth and low birth weight. The Black Infant Health BIH program is designed to provide culturally affirming support to help pregnant women have healthier babies through an empowering group-based model that incorporates life skills development.

In this inclusive environment honoring the unique history of African-American women, BIH helps participants reduce stress and improve their well-being by learning proven strategies. The program achieves this via weekly group sessions complemented with case management services for comprehensive support. Group interaction fosters social connections, which help mitigate negative impacts of stress while empowering participants to make positive lifestyle choices.

Ultimately, the program ms not only to benefit the participants themselves but also future generations of African-American women, infants, and families by improving their health outcomes. This holistic approach leads to a cascade effect across generations.

Contact Information Hours

Address:

1845 N. Fr Oaks Ave.

Pasadena, CA 91103

Phone: 626 744-6155

Hours:

Monday - Thursday: 8:00am – 5:30pm

Friday: 8:00am – 4:30pm

Make an Appointment

Call: 626 744-6155

Program Overview

Historic Context:

Established in response to Senate Bill SB 165 and the Budget Act of 1989, BIH was initiated as a pilot project across four sites. By expanding its reach statewide, it now encompasses 17 local health jurisdictions where over 90 of African-American births occur in California BSMF, 2008. Initially, the program's focus was on encouraging women to access prenatal care.

Assessment Recommations:

An assessment conducted by USC in 1993 revealed that participants required more than just prenatal care. Recommations included implementing a standardized “best practice” model with services focused on advocacy, empowerment skills development, and comprehensive case management for outreach, social support, health behavior modification, prevention, and parenting role. This led to the creation of six distinct BIHin 1995 tlored to various participant needs.

2006 Model Development:

Integrating recommations from previousand incorporating promising practices, a new standardized model was developed that integrates prenatal, postpartum, parenting, and infant health education and promotion with social support and empowerment. The goal is to provide culturally relevant services in line with participants' beliefs, values, and promoting overall wellness while acknowledging how non-medical factors influence women's health behaviors.

Social Determinants of Health:

The BIH program addresses these determinants through culturally respectful services that align with the unique experiences of African-American women and promote their health by recognizing the impact of stress related to limited social and economic resources, racism, and discrimination.

City of Pasadena

Pasadena City Hall

100 North Garfield Ave.

Pasadena, CA 91101

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Culturally Affirming Support for African American Infants Black Infant Health Program Outcomes Improvement Empowering Model for Healthy Birth Weights African American Womens Health Empowerment Initiative Holistic Approach to Generational Health Benefits Stress Reduction Strategies for Pregnant Mothers