A Call to Action: Supporting Black Maternal and Infant Health Using the Collective Impact Model

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Health Equity
• Maternal and Child Health

Background:

• Black women experience disproportionately high rates of maternal morbidity and mortality in the U.S.
• Systemic racism, implicit bias, and inadequate health communication contribute to these disparities.
• Existing efforts have been siloed, necessitating a more coordinated strategy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To advocate for a comprehensive, collaborative approach to address the Black maternal and infant health crisis.
• To propose the collective impact model as a framework for this initiative.
• To center health equity and Black women's perspectives in all efforts.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing the collective impact model framework.
• Fostering collaboration among healthcare providers, community-based organizations (CBOs), and digital health communicators.
• Establishing a dedicated backbone organization for coordination.

Main Results:

• A coordinated, multidisciplinary approach can yield greater impact than isolated initiatives.
• Prioritizing health equity and Black women's voices is crucial for effective strategy development and evaluation.
• Systemic barriers must be dismantled to ensure equitable care.

Conclusions:

• A collective impact approach centered on health equity is essential to combat Black maternal and infant health disparities.
• Empowering Black women in content creation and program strategy is vital for success.
• Immediate, unified action is required to improve health outcomes for Black mothers and infants.