Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition of Georgia announces new partnership with CHC Black Birthing Initiative to reduce preterm births
Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition of Georgia has been selected as Georgia’s collaborative partner in CHC: Creating Healthier Communities’ Black Birthing Initiative to reduce Black preterm births
Alexandria, VA (5/10/23) -- Today, Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition of Georgia (HMHBGA) is proud to announce it was chosen as part of a select group and awarded funding for the next phase of CHC: Creating Healthier Communities’ Black Birthing Initiative. The Black Birthing Initiative aims to reduce high rates of preterm births among Black women in three cities: Atlanta, Cleveland, and Detroit. The initiative will identify stressors and other health related social needs leading to increased risk of preterm births and work with community-based organizations to provide community-driven interventions.
“As we join with others to observe Black Maternal Health Week, we must also continue our collective work to ensure the voices and choices of Black people remain front and center the remaining 51 weeks of the year and are an integral consideration in every discussion and funding decision that relates to addressing health inequities,” said Valerie Rochester, chief health equity officer at CHC.
HMHBGA was selected as a partner in the Black Birthing Initiative and is now enrolling expectant parents, which will help CHC create an evidence-based case study with a standardized screening tool and interventions that will later be leveraged by health systems nationwide. Collaborative partners include:
Atlanta Collaborative
Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies Coalition of Georgia – a community-based organization that focuses on the full spectrum of maternal and child health concerns from prematurity to maternal mortality with a focus on advocacy, education, and access to vital resources.
Center for Black Women’s Wellness – a community-based and family service center committed to improving the health and wellbeing of underserved Black women and their families.
Community Speaks Consulting, LLC - a Black woman led consulting group on a mission to amplify community voices. Their vision is to be the bridge between community and service providers.
The urgency cannot be understated, as Black women are three times more likely to die from pregnancy related causes in the U.S. and 50% more likely to deliver a premature baby (CDC). Sudden Infant Death Syndrome also disproportionately affects Black babies (American Academy of Pediatrics). Almost two-thirds of pregnancy deaths are preventable (CDC). This collaborative project will create a framework and interventions that can improve outcomes for mothers and babies on a national scale.
“I am a strong believer that ‘it takes a village’ and this project is a true example of that,” said Precious Andrews, Director of Special Projects & Innovations at Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition of Georgia. “We will be giving birth givers the support that they need, during a vulnerable and life-changing time while also wrapping them with this network of support and resources to ensure they are supported along all fronts. As a mother of four who suffered prenatal and postpartum trauma each time, to know that I am able to lead a project that will prevent others from experiencing that, brings purpose to what I went through so that I can do this work with the passion it truly deserves.”
“This project exemplifies many of the core values HMHBGA holds true by engaging directly impacted individuals in identifying methods to support our community, leveraging the dynamism of our coalition partners and creating a ‘whole person’ approach to our work. As a woman who has navigated the complex intersections of being a racialized Black woman and giving birth while having limited knowledge and resources, I have an unwavering commitment to promote maternal health equity. I am personally excited to learn from the wisdom of the Center for Black Women's Wellness and doulas in our community. Through this partnership, we are committed to creating a support model that honors the rich culture of Black women and birthing people as well as the unique barriers they encounter that attribute to the disproportionately concerning maternal and infant health outcomes in our community,” said Ky Lindberg, CEO of HMHBGA.
CHC is committed to implementing community-led, evidence-informed approaches centered in health equity and based on the lived experiences, needs and concerns of those most affected. The Black Birthing Initiative is a three-year, $7 million grant partnership that is nationally supported by the Elevance Health Foundation. Learn more about CHC’s Black Birthing Initiative here for pregnant or post-partum women to lend their voice and take the needs assessment here to inform this work.
###
ABOUT CHC: CREATING HEALTHIER COMMUNITIES
CHC: Creating Healthier Communities brings nonprofits, businesses and communities together to improve community health. Our focus is health equity, addressing underlying issues and removing barriers so everyone can thrive. Our work is driven by community need, and we direct programs, resources and support where they have the greatest impact. Together with partners, we’ve been creating healthier communities for more than 65 years. Join us at chcimpact.org or @chcimpact.
ABOUT ELEVANCE HEALTH FOUNDATION
Elevance Health Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Elevance Health, Inc. The Foundation works to advance health equity by focusing on improving the health of the socially vulnerable through partnerships and programs in our communities with an emphasis on maternal child health; substance use disorder; and food as medicine. Through its key areas of focus, the Foundation also strategically aligns with Elevance Health’s focus on community health and becoming a lifetime, trusted health partner that is fueled by its purpose to improve the health of humanity. To learn more about Elevance Health Foundation, please visit www.elevancehealth.foundation or follow us @ElevanceFND on Twitter and Elevance Health Foundation on Facebook.