Perinatal Equity Working Group
In October 2021, the County of Santa Clara Board of Supervisors approved a work plan to expand perinatal programs serving Black birthing people. The goal of the Perinatal Equity Working Group, established in March of 2022, is to convene health care partners from across the county to develop and implement actionable steps to improve birth equity. The Working Group currently has representation from all birthing hospitals in Santa Clara County, public health programs, community clinics, and the Hospital Council. Members include physicians, nurses, government relations, and hospital administration.
The current focus of the Working Group:
- Identify and map what hospitals are doing to address health disparities among African/African Ancestry women (landscape analysis) and identify new opportunities or areas of interest among partners.
- Obtain data to evaluate and monitor perinatal equity among partner hospitals and healthcare systems.
- Support partners in establishing and maintaining equity-focused institutional activities to improve the experiences of Black birthing people.
To learn more about the Perinatal Equity Working Group, email [email protected].
Want to help support your African/African Ancestry patients? Refer them to the Black Infant Health Program at (408) 937-2270 or their website.
About the Perinatal Equity Initiative (PEI)
The County of Santa Clara PEI is a state-funded program that aims to address the root causes of the persistent, inequitable birth outcomes and health disparities of Black mothers and their babies. PEI works with hospital and community partners to develop and implement policy and system change strategies in perinatal care settings. Working at the systemic level is the best way to reduce the impact of implicit bias and discrimination on the quality of care and birth outcomes for African/African Ancestry women.
County of Santa Clara Perinatal Equity Initiative
1993-B McKee Rd
San Jose, CA 95116
Phone: (669) 263-2828
[email protected]