Recorded presentation

Antonia M. Blinn, CHES, Massachusetts Chapter, March of Dimes, 1253 Worcester Road, suite 400, Framingham, MA 01701, 1 508-663-2102, ablinn@modimes.org, Sharla Younge, Healthy Baby/Healthy Child, Boston Public Health Commission, 35 Northampton Street, Boston, MA 02118, and Elizabeth Riggs, MPH, National Office, March of Dimes, 1275 Mamaroneck Avenue, White Plains, NY 10605.

As in communities across the nation, Boston's overall infant mortality rate has fallen substantially over the last decade. The rate for the Black community, however, is almost five times higher than the white rate. The Boston Public Health Commission identified three significant gaps in healthcare access for Black women:

Efforts focused only on pregnant women miss the opportunity to connect at-risk women to the healthcare system before pregnancy.

Not enough outreach to black women at highest risk, particularly those not well-connected to the health care system or with a history of poor perinatal outcomes.

Health education is most often provided at healthcare sites that many women of color do not find comfortable or welcoming, rather than in community settings.

The Boston Infant Mortality Initiative, funded by the March of Dimes, seeks to reduce the racial disparity in infant mortality by broadening outreach and integrating case management and community health education to reach at-risk Black women. The Health Ambassador model was developed and piloted in Boston by the Reach 2010 Breast and Cervical Cancer Coalition. Health Ambassadors are well-integrated with other health and social service providers to improve access to care and coordination of services. One effective vehicle for providing education is Women's Circles, held in community settings and led by the Health Ambassadors.The session, co-presented by a CHW, will include discussion of the project's successes and challenges, particularly in regards to integrating CHWs within the healthcare team, reaching high-risk women and increasing access to care.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe the women's circle model and health ambassador role;
• Identify factors contributing to the successful integration of health ambassadors within the health care team;
• Assess the success of the program in increasing access to care

Keywords: Community Outreach, Maternal Health

Related Web page: www.marchofdimes.com

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Boston Public Health Commission March of Dimes
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: I am an employee of the March of Dimes

Recorded presentation