Kaiser Permanente has awarded a $95,000 grant to the Black Infant Maternal Health Initiative (BIMHI) to help address critical health disparities affecting Black mothers, babies, and children in Kern County.
The initiative works to provide culturally competent care, education, and support during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period. With Black women nearly three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than women of other races, regardless of income or education, BIMHI aims to close the gap in maternal health outcomes.
Formed in February 2021, BIMHI is a Kern County community steering committee that meets monthly to address disparities in health outcomes for Black mothers and infants.
“BIMHI is grateful for the $95,000 grant from Kaiser Permanente,” said Brynn Carrigan, BIMHI member and director of Kern County Public Health. “This funding will significantly enhance our efforts by expanding our support network for Black birthing persons, providing essential prenatal and postnatal care services, and fostering community trust in medical providers.”
The initiative brings together local government agencies, community-based groups, non-profits, and healthcare professionals, including doulas and medical providers, to build a more supportive and equitable system for Black families.
“Healthcare institutions can’t quickly or easily solve these problems,” said John Yamamoto, vice president of community health and government relations at Kaiser Permanente Southern California. “But health care leaders can take more immediate steps to improve Black maternal health. We are proud to partner with BIMHI to tackle these barriers and improve health outcomes for Black women in Kern County.”
The Black Infant Maternal Health Initiative (BIMHI) of Kern County has developed a comprehensive three-year strategic plan aimed at addressing the significant health disparities affecting Black mothers and infants in the region. This plan focuses on enhancing culturally competent care, expanding community outreach, and fostering trust between Black families and healthcare providers. Key strategies include increasing access to prenatal and postnatal services, supporting the training and integration of local doulas, and implementing targeted educational programs to improve maternal and infant health outcomes.
Through these efforts, BIMHI seeks to create a more equitable healthcare environment and ensure better health for Black families in Kern County.
For more information about Kern County’s Black Infant Maternal Health Initiative, please visit: Black Infant Maternal Health Initiative
