The Black Infant Health Program

Nationally, African American infants are more than two times more likely to die within the first year than other infants. This startling statistic represents a failure of public health to adequately address the specific obstacles facing the African-American community in obtaining quality pre- and post-natal care.

The Black Infant Health Program of the Antelope Valley, a faith-based initiative, is working through local church congregations and other community groups to combat this growing crisis. Working within church congregations, the multi-faceted, comprehensive effort provides not simply prenatal care and education, but works to combat social and
cultural factors in poor infant health results.

The Black Infant Health Program aims to reduce African-American infant mortality through the Social Support and Empowerment model - a faith-based program which seeks to:

- Educate
- Ensure access to care for at-risk pregnant and parenting women and their infants.

BIH provides perinatal services and continuous care coordination for the infants of at-risk mothers through age two. Women and their babies enrolled in the program receive thorough follow-up attention, including:

- Immunizations
- Postpartum treatment
- Well-baby care

Black Infant Health also works with local health care and social service providers, sharing educational materials and training about the specific needs of the African-American community.

In alliance with Partners in Care, Black Infant Health has worked toward alleviation of the ongoing dilemma through culturally aware outreach and comprehensive services.