Infant Mortality Among African Americans Project
This 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.
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
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