Enhancing the Capacity of Local Health Departments to Address Birth Equity: The Institute for Equity in Birth Outcomes

Enhancing the Capacity of Local Health Departments to Address Birth Equity: The Institute for Equity in Birth Outcomes

Introduction Significant and persistent racial and ethnic disparities exist related to infant mortality and other birth outcomes. Few models exist that aim to prepare organizations to implement essential features, such as community engagement or intervening on social determinants of health. Methods...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Maternal and child health journal Vol. 25; no. 7; pp. 1010 - 1018
Main Authors: Collie-Akers, Vicki, Landry, Sarah, Ehule, N. Jessica, Pecha, Denise, Beltran, M. Monica, Gilbert, Carol, Abresch, Chad
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: New York Springer US 01-07-2021
Springer
Springer Nature B.V
Subjects:
Babies
Births
Childrens health
Community health services
Community involvement
Cultural differences
Demographic aspects
Ethnicity
Female
From the Field
Gynecology
Health care disparities
Health disparities
Health Equity
Humans
Infant
Infant mortality
Infants
Maternal & child health
Maternal and Child Health
Maternal health services
Medicine
Medicine & Public Health
Participation
Parturition
Patient outcomes
Pediatrics
Population Economics
Pregnancy
Prevention
Public Health
Quality management
Social aspects
Sociology
Teams
United States
Equity
Social determinants of health
Birth outcomes
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Summary:Introduction Significant and persistent racial and ethnic disparities exist related to infant mortality and other birth outcomes. Few models exist that aim to prepare organizations to implement essential features, such as community engagement or intervening on social determinants of health. Methods Between 2013 and 2015, teams from seven local health departments participated in the Institute for Equity in Birth Outcomes (EI) with the goals of building capacity and implementing changes to address equity in birth outcomes. Four of the teams enrolled in the first cohort (2013–2015), and three enrolled in cohort two (2014–2015). To examine the EI effort and its impact on capacity and implementation of changes, two types of assessments were completed. Capacities of the teams in specific key areas were assessed using “Best Change Process” instruments at the completion of participation in the EI. Teams also documented on an ongoing basis implementation of interventions. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Pearson Correlation tests. Results Best Change Process capacity scores were higher in the first cohort than in the second and were highly correlated with implementation of changes (Pearson’s Correlation = 0.838, p = 0.037). Collectively, the teams implemented about 32 new programs, policies, practices, and systems changes aimed at addressing equity in birth outcomes. Most interventions were based on scientific recommendations and local epidemiologic data. Discussion The results of the study suggest the EI is a promising approach that may result in strong capacity and ability to implement interventions aimed at addressing equity in birth outcomes.
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ISSN:1092-7875
1573-6628
DOI:10.1007/s10995-021-03135-1