Pasadena’s Black Infant Health Program Expands, Combatting Racial Disparities

The Pasadena Public Health Department will present an update on its Black Infant Health (BIH) Program to the Public Safety Committee on Wednesday, July 17. The program, which received initial funding in 1989, aims to address persistent racial disparities in infant mortality and preterm birth rates among African American families.

In a preliminary report prepared by Monette Clark, Program Coordinator of the Pasadena BIH Program, the Public Health Department said Black infants in Pasadena consistently face higher mortality rates compared to other racial groups. The three-year average infant mortality rate for Black infants has remained above the Healthy People 2020 goal of 6.7 and the 2030 goal of 5.7 deaths per 1,000 live births.

For fiscal year 2023-2024, the program reported enrolling 98 clients, conducting 100 prenatal and postpartum sessions, with 48 group series graduates and 36 healthy babies born, according to the report.

Preterm birth rates also show significant disparities, with Black mothers in Pasadena experiencing higher rates of births before 37 weeks compared to other racial and ethnic groups, the report showed. The program attributes these inequities to structural racism, chronic stress, and the concept of “weathering” — the cumulative effects of systemic oppression on physical health.

The Black Infant Health (BIH) program in California was established in 1989 to address health disparities among African American women, infants, and children. Initially focused on prenatal care, the program expanded to cover multiple complex needs of participants based on assessments conducted in 1993 and 2006.

The program evolved from six models addressing various aspects of maternal and infant health to a single core model emphasizing health promotion, social support, empowerment, and health education throughout pregnancy and early parenting.

Currently, the BIH program features a standardized approach implemented across 17 local health jurisdictions, including Pasadena, where over 90 percent of African American births in California occur. The program combines a group intervention designed to encourage empowerment and social support with enhanced social service case management. It also recognizes the impact of non-medical factors, such as stress related to limited social and economic resources, racism, and discrimination, on women’s health and behaviors.

“Reducing risk requires a comprehensive, multi-faceted life course approach centering on individual & social determinants of health,” the program philosophy states.

The BIH program has recently expanded its service area to cover the entire San Gabriel Valley. It is open to Black/African American women who are at least 16 years old and either pregnant or up to six months postpartum.

The preliminary report said the will continue to seek funding beyond June 30, 2026, when the current cycle ends. Additional funding will be needed to supplement state grant funding and maintain its services. The total projected budget for fiscal year 2025 is $954,888, with $904,000 coming from Los Angeles County funding and $50,888 from the general fund, according to the report.

Statewide, the BIH program has achieved intermediate outcomes, including a 60% decrease in no practical and emotional support, a 45% decrease in food insecurity, and a 35% decrease in depressive symptoms among participants, the report showed.

In Pasadena, the BIH program operates with a staff of 10 full-time equivalent positions and collaborates with various partners, including the Pomona Wellness Community Center, African American Maternal Mortality Initiative, and Door of Hope Pasadena, among others.

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