Black Infant Health and Perinatal Equity Initiative continue to decrease disparities in birth outcomes in Santa Clara County

SANTA CLARA COUNTY, Calif. – The County of Santa Clara Public Health Department’s Black Infant Health (BIH) program and Perinatal Equity Initiative (PEI) continue to empower pregnant and parenting African and African American mothers by connecting them with the care they need for good health during pregnancy and beyond.  

County data gathered in November of 2024 demonstrate that the BIH and PEI programs have significantly reduced health disparities among African/African Ancestry birthing people. Maternal hypertension was 7.7% among BIH program participants as compared to 11.8% of eligible but not enrolled black birthing parents, 30% lower.  

BIH participants were also more likely to be screened for chlamydia, gonorrhea, Group B Streptococcus, and HIV, compared to birthing parents not enrolled in the program in Santa Clara County. BIH program participants were more likely to have chorioamnionitis and meconium staining detected, conditions which can lead to delivery complications if not discovered. The increased detection is likely to have led to more timely medical interventions.

“Black Infant Health and PEI have been an integral part of helping decrease the health disparities affecting African/African Ancestry women in Santa Clara County,” said Beverley White-Macklin, BIH and PEI Program Manager for Santa Clara County. “There is an urgency for our health systems, communities, and individuals to keep working towards improving these health outcomes for the future well-being of African/African Ancestry families in Santa Clara County.”

In Santa Clara County, African/African Ancestry mothers and infants have the highest rates for preterm birth, infant mortality, and severe maternal morbidity compared to other racial/ethnic groups. Across California, African/African Ancestry women are three to seven times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than Asian/Pacific Islander, Hispanic, and White women. 

Black Infant Health is a statewide program that has been operating through the County of Santa Clara since 1991. To complement and support BIH’s work, the County of Santa Clara Public Health Department added the Perinatal Equity Initiative (PEI) in 2018. 

Since 2000, both BIH (including Role of Men (ROM), a program that complements BIH by helping fathers and expectant fathers become more involved in parenting) and PEI have assisted more than 14,000 families in Santa Clara County. Enrollment rates in the BIH program have steadily increased since 2020 with 27.1% of eligible birthing individuals enrolled in 2023. This upward trend reflects improvements in program reach and engagement efforts and ongoing efforts to close gaps in access and participation across Santa Clara County.

Feedback from BIH and PEI program participants in Santa Clara County was collected between 2015 and 2024. Based on responses, participants consistently report a strong sense of belonging and community support, highlighting the importance of connecting with others who share similar experiences. Participants frequently mention emotional and psychological support and express that the program helps them manage stress, build self-worth, and improve their mental health.

“Black Infant Health gave me the keys I needed to redefine myself as a mom and show myself more grace,” said pediatrician Rhea Boyd, MD/MPH, Black Infant Health alumnus. “Society judges mothers, sometimes harshly. And Black moms also have to contend with hurtful stereotypes that can make it feel like we have to prove our fitness as mothers. In Black Infant Health, we were welcomed into a space where the underlying assumption is that we are beautiful, and we are enough." 

Due to systemic racism, poor maternal and infant health outcomes for African/African Ancestry birthing people persist regardless of income and educational status. BIH, PEI and ROM empower participants to anticipate and address those systemic issues. Therefore, all eligible women are encouraged to take part in BIH services.

Women who are interested in enrolling in BIH can call (408) 937-2270 or complete a BIH Interest Card for an appointment. Services are at no cost regardless of income. Eligibility requirements:

•    Pregnant African/African Ancestry women, and African/African Ancestry mothers with an infant under 6 months of age
•    16 years of age or older
•    Lives or works in Santa Clara County

Women interested in PEI can call (669) 263-2828 or email [email protected]. Eligibility requirements:

•    African/African Ancestry 
•    18 years of age or older
•    Lives in Santa Clara County

Events celebrating the African/African Ancestry community occur throughout the month of February and a schedule of those events is available at blkc.org.