Using Collective Impact to Develop a Community-Led Initiative for Improving Black Infant Mortality

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Health Equity
• Community-Based Participatory Research

Background:

• The United States faces high infant mortality rates, with significant racial disparities, particularly affecting Black infants.
• Systemic racism is identified as a key driver of these adverse birth outcomes.
• Collective impact and community-based participatory approaches have been utilized for infant mortality reduction.

Purpose of the Study:

• To critically examine the transition of an infant mortality collective impact initiative from organizational to community leadership.
• To assess the impact of community-driven priorities and strategies over a 5-year period (2015-2020).

Main Methods:

• Development of a 34-member community leaders group.
• Establishment of community-determined priorities and corresponding strategies for the initiative.
• Longitudinal analysis of a collective impact initiative's leadership transition.

Main Results:

• A community-led model was successfully implemented over five years.
• Community leaders identified four key priorities and actionable strategies.
• The shift in leadership facilitated a more equitable approach to public health interventions.

Conclusions:

• Community participatory approaches are essential for addressing racial inequities in public health.
• Transitioning leadership to the community enhances the effectiveness and relevance of infant mortality initiatives.
• Empowering lived experience through community leadership fosters systemic change for health equity.