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Health Equity

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Health Equity

  • Health Equity Home
  • Announcements
  • Newsletter
  • Request Form for a Speaker, Consultation
  • Initiatives and Projects
  • Eliminating Health Disparities Initiative
  • Funding Opportunities
  • Student Internships
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  • HEAL Council
  • About Us
  • Contact Us

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  • COVID-19 Home
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  • Contracts for Diverse Media Messaging and Community Outreach
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Contact Info
Center for Health Equity
651-201-5813
health.equity@state.mn.us

Contact Info

Center for Health Equity
651-201-5813
health.equity@state.mn.us

Infant Mortality Among African Americans Project

mom and babyThis 5-year project, which ended in July 2020, aimed to address the wide spectrum of factors that contribute to the high infant mortality rate among U.S.-born African Americans living in Hennepin County.

Hennepin County has the largest concentration of African Americans in Minnesota, and here the infant mortality rate among U.S.-born African Americans is 3.4 times higher than Whites. This project acknowledged that the difference in the infant mortality rate could be explained not only by variations in maternal characteristics, behaviors and access to health care, but also by other factors including social issues and individual and family circumstances.

To address this complex issue, we used a community engagement model that brought together the perspectives of the community through a Health in All Policies approach.

Project Summary: OMH State Partnership Grant to Improve Minority Health (PDF)

Community Voices and Solutions

The Community Voices and Solutions (CVAS) leadership team was formed to guide the 5-year project. The leadership team consisted of about 20 members representing community groups, grassroots organizations, and local and state health departments.

  • CVAS Team Charter (PDF)
  • CVAS Meeting Information
  • CVAS Members

Project Documents and Reports

MDH State Partnership Initiative (SPI) Work Plan 2015-2020 (PDF)

Emerging Narrative Frames developed by CVAS (PDF)

2017-2018 Community Co-Learning Session Information

A Social Determinants of Health Framework for Addressing U.S.-Born African American Infant Mortality in Hennepin County (PDF)

Proposed Strategies for Addressing African American Infant Mortality (PDF)

Community Engagement Model to Address African American Infant Mortality (PDF)

Black Birth Summit

Black Birth Summit Overview (PDF)

Black Birth Summit Follow Up: Restorative Talking Circle Summary (PDF)

Mini Project Reports

Enhancing Minnesota’s Community Health Worker (CHW) Curriculum Mini Project Report (PDF)

A Real Conversation about Men and Pregnancy Mini Project Report (PDF)

Infant Mortality Learning Module Mini Project Report (PDF)

Maternity Home Mini Project Report (PDF)

Directories

Directory of Infant Mortality Efforts in Hennepin and Ramsey Counties (PDF)

Directory of Black Birth Workers in Hennepin and Ramsey Counties (PDF)

Project Partners

MDH Division of Children and Family Health
Michelle Chiezah, Infant Mortality Consultant, MDH

Minneapolis Department of Health
Coral Garner, Director of Adolescent Health & Youth Development, City of Minneapolis

Minnesota Association of Community Health Centers (MNACHC)
Laura Lipkin, Director of Partnerships & Resource Development, MNACHC

For more information:
Helen Jackson Lockett-El, Project Coordinator
helen.jackson.lockett-el@state.mn.us
651-201-5801

Tags
  • equity
Last Updated: 10/03/2022

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