Addressing Perinatal Disparities in Urban Setting: Using Community Based Participatory Research

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Health Disparities Research
• Community-Engaged Research

Background:

• Significant racial disparities in infant mortality are evident in the U.S.
• African American (AA) infant mortality rates are nearly double the national average.
• Community-based participatory research (CBPR) effectively builds community-researcher collaborations for sustainable interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To detail the application of the Perinatal Period of Risk (PPOR) model.
• To engage communities in identifying factors contributing to racial infant mortality disparities.
• To examine changes in these factors over a decade.

Main Methods:

• Utilized the Perinatal Period of Risk (PPOR) model.
• Employed community-based participatory research (CBPR) principles.
• Conducted a ten-year longitudinal examination of identified factors.

Main Results:

• The PPOR model facilitated community engagement in understanding infant mortality determinants.
• Key factors influencing racial disparities in infant mortality were identified.
• Changes in these influential factors over the ten-year period were analyzed.

Conclusions:

• The PPOR model is a viable approach for community engagement in addressing infant mortality disparities.
• Understanding and tracking factors influencing disparities is crucial for targeted interventions.
• Sustained community-researcher partnerships are vital for reducing racial inequities in infant health outcomes.