Undoing Racism Through Genesee County’s REACH Infant Mortality Reduction Initiative

Abstract

The URWs were most effective in the domains related to their standard content. Additional effort is necessary to customize URWs when utilized for activities beyond their original purpose of community mobilization.

Disparities in Infant Mortality by Race Among Hispanic and Non-Hispanic Infants

“…Targeted approaches to reducing these social and structural barriers at the local level have shown promise in increasing education and building community capacity, with the long-term goal of improved infant health status (Carty et al, 2011;Frey, Farrell, Cotton, Lathen, & Marks, 2014;Kruger, Carty, Turbeville, French-Turner, & Brownlee, 2015;Kruger, French-Turner, & Brownlee, 2013). For example, the Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH) program implemented community-engaged observational and educational activities to mobilize the community to address systemic determinants of health disparities, with the aim to strengthen the maternal-infant health care system in Genesee County, Michigan.…”

“…For example, the Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH) program implemented community-engaged observational and educational activities to mobilize the community to address systemic determinants of health disparities, with the aim to strengthen the maternal-infant health care system in Genesee County, Michigan. Published evaluations of REACH indicate enhanced understanding of structural determinants of health and their impact among health, professionals, and community audiences (Carty et al, 2011;Kruger et al, 2015), and improved cultural sensitivity and understanding of patient circumstances among health workers (Kruger et al, 2013). In another exemplary initiative, public health and medical leaders in Wisconsin developed a regional funding initiative with community partners to address racial gaps in birth outcomes (Frey et al, 2014), using the Life Course perspective (Lu & Halfon, 2003).…”

Prejudice, Discrimination, and Health

“…To address these health disparities, multiple community-based interventions working simultaneously can be effective in reducing racial and ethnic health inequities and improving health outcomes for affected individuals and populations. Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH) in Flint, Michigan was one such program (Carty et al, 2011;Kannan, Sparks, Webster, Krishnakumar, & Lumeng, 2010;Kruger, Carty, Turbeville, French-Turner, & Brownlee, 2015;Kruger, French-Turner, & Brownlee, 2013;Pestronk & Franks, 2003;Selig, Tropiano, & Greene-Moton, 2006). An overarching strategy for the program was the adoption of the socio-ecological model (SEM), which allowed the Flint REACH team to address racism on multiple levels.…”