Strengthening Support Systems for Black Parents
CHC: Creating Healthier Communities Black Birthing Initiative Impact Report
Through funding from Elevance Health Foundation, CHC launched a 3-year project, The Black Birthing Initiative (BBI), in January 2022. Studies indicate that clinical care influences only about 20% of health and wellness. The BBI offers non-clinical support addressing racism, stress and social determinants of health.
We envision a world where every person in every community has an opportunity to live their healthiest life.
Since January 2022, I have been proud and humbled to watch as the Black Birthing Initiative (BBI) has grown from an ambitious concept on paper to a thriving initiative that has a daily impact on the lives of over 420 Black birthing people and families. The growth and viability of this initiative would not have been attainable without the founding support of the Elevance Health Foundation and certainly, not without the committed work of our invaluable BBI implementation partners. Before launching the BBI, CHC established trusted partnerships with eight organizations in Atlanta, Cleveland, Detroit and Indianapolis. These partnerships ensured the initiative was community-centered and informed. Additionally, CHC collaborated with research partners to execute the initiative faithfully. Investing in these partnerships was crucial, as they provided invaluable time, insight, and ongoing engagement.
We will continue to build upon our successes and help support a future where everyone can thrive.
Valerie L. Rochester
Chief Health Equity & Impact Officer
CHC: Creating Healthier Communities
Our Approach to Community Strategies and Solutions
Community Informed and Led | Fidelity Focused | Evidence Driven | Equity and Justice Centered
Maternal health outcomes in the United States lag behind those of most high-income countries. Too many pregnant women and new moms are dying from preventable deaths. This is especially true for Black women, who are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than White women. Black women are also about 50% more likely to deliver a premature baby than White women.
Through funding from Elevance Health Foundation, CHC launched a 3-year project, The Black Birthing Initiative (BBI), in 2022. Working in partnership with local and national organizations, CHC’s Equity and Impact Department collaborates on strategies and solutions to the barriers to health equity.
Partner engagement enhances capacity, increases recruitment and fosters growth.
Before launching the BBI, CHC established trusted partnerships with eight organizations in Atlanta, Cleveland, and Indianapolis. These partnerships ensured the initiative was community-centered and informed. Additionally, CHC collaborated with research partners to execute the initiative faithfully. Investing in these partnerships was crucial, as they provided invaluable time, insight, and ongoing engagement.
Implementation of the Black Birthing Initiative has entered its third year and, thanks to the commitment from the funded partners, the intervention is on its way to achieving its intended goal. Thus far, CHC has worked to support our partnering organizations in enhancing the perinatal workforce development by supporting 17 birth advocates to receive equitable compensation for their invaluable services. In addition to the full-time equivalent birth advocates dedicated to serving the mothers in the BBI, CHC has also supported the hiring of contingent doulas to support the ongoing need of birth advocates and clients.
The BBI has successfully screened 421 Black Birthing and pregnant people to determine eligibility for enrollment into the program. There are 261 Black women who have been enrolled in the program.
During the screening process, an intake/baseline survey is provided that includes social determinants of health, stress, and mental health measures that can lead to preterm birth. Throughout the program, the participants are provided warm handoff referrals to help participants overcome their identified SDOH needs.
As more women have successfully gone through the program, there has been a decrease in stress, SDOH, and mental health needs that were identified at baseline. About a quarter of participants worried about not having stable housing in the next two months. Over half needed some form of action taken on their concerns and 79% of those reported that their concern was addressed through some action through the BBI. Further, in the most recent reporting period, 91.7% indicated that they had their concerns about anxiety at least partly addressed. At the data midline, reported moderate to severe anxiety decreased from 24.6% to 15.9%.
Since January 2022, CHC has worked cohesively with the implementation partners to:
Enhance capacity and enrollment in non-clinical services
BBI grantees now have the resources to offer enhanced and personalized care. Communities are better equipped to address social determinants of health through seamless referrals to resources, enhancing overall well-being and healthcare access.
Activate existing resources and networks
Communities benefit from a network of support and expertise built on peer-to-peer relationships, resulting in more comprehensive and effective healthcare interventions.
Foster mutual support and growth
Collaborative efforts between CHC and its partners have led to mutual support, fostering a culture of learning and growth. Findings from this have been shared in ongoing communications and the recent BBI convening.
CHC held its first ever Black Birthing Initiative (BBI) Convening in Atlanta on February 5-7, 2024. Facilitated by CHC and Enlightened Solutions, the convening provided grantees with a space to share BBI progress and preliminary outcomes.
Program Grantees and Participants
"The beginning stages of the BBI are going great. I appreciate the CHC team’s thoughtfulness and transparency during the formative work stage. I am confident that this will be a great collaborative initiative among the organizations."
Jazmin Long
Executive Director
Birthing Beautiful Communities
“I feel that I have gained skills knowing how to ask questions to providers, knowing that I have a voice to be heard, that I have to give consent for services, and learning to also re-trust medical professionals despite my bad experience in my last pregnancy.”
Kenya
Participant
Birthing Beautiful Communities
“When I first found out that I was expecting... There was a lot of stress and emotions coming with it. My emotional state wasn’t the best... Now I have a better grasp on things because I know the options that I have and know that I have an extra level of support that I didn’t have months ago.”
K Hall
Participant
Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies Coalition of Georgia