Black Infant Health

Lincoln’s Black Infant Health program, in collaboration with Alameda County and Baywell Health, provides comprehensive prenatal and postpartum support for Black/African American mothers. Black Infant Health (BIH) is a health equity program that offers individual and group support to pregnant and postpartum Black/African American mothers. BIH was created in recognition that anti-Black racism, social and economic stressors, and neighborhood conditions contribute to poor birth outcomes for Black/African mothers and infants.

What we do

Lincoln’s Black Infant Health Program is an Alameda County Public Health Department (ACPHD) evidence-informed group model with one-on-one supports, uniquely for Black/African American women in the prenatal and postpartum period. Services are delivered in collaboration with Baywell Health and designed to achieve immediate health outcomes such as personal empowerment, enhanced life skills, and improved strategies to reduce stress and build social supports. Services include:

Group Sessions  & 1:1 Support - Facilitating interactive and empowering prenatal and postpartum group sessions and supports to help pregnant and parenting Black/African American women develop life skills, set and attain goals, learn strategies for managing stress, build social supports, and reduce isolation. Healthy meals, incentives, and childcare are provided at all in-person group sessions.

Case Management - Providing comprehensive support to empower Black/African American mothers throughout their pregnancy and postpartum journey. Our services include prenatal and postpartum groups, personalized guidance from a Public Health Nurse and/or Mental Health Professional, individualized life plans to help women set goals for their future, and referrals for health and family support. Through one-on-one case management, we offer tailored assistance, to ensure a supportive environment. Every in-person group session includes healthy meals and childcare, allowing mothers to focus on their well-being and growth.

Our Why

In California, and across the United States, Black/African American mothers experience some of the highest rates of life-threatening childbirth complications, deaths from pregnancy-related causes, and babies born too early or too small. Lincoln’s Black Infant Health Program empowers pregnant and parenting Black mothers by connecting them with the care they need for good health during pregnancy and beyond. Our program helps Black women reduce stress, eat well, and connect with others for support.

Outcomes

A California Department of Public Health (CDPH) evaluation of the BIH prenatal group model found the following outcomes, including increased practical and emotional supports:

51% decrease in smoking within the last month

45% decrease in food insecurity

38% increase in the use of yoga, deep breathing, and/or meditation to manage stress

35% decrease in depressive symptoms

33% increase in intention to put baby to sleep on their back

Contact

Chris Nguon
Associate Director of Grant-Funded Programs
chrisnguon@lincolnfamilies.org
510.882.5882

 

“BIH gave me a place to connect with other Black mothers that are at the same state in their lives/pregnancy as I am. BIH provided me with women who look like me that can provide me with information/advice.”

— CDPH BIH Mother