HISTORY OF BLACK INFANT HEALTH
The birth of a baby into the world is one of the most rewarding events in life. Unfortunately, many families experience an undeniable loss due to the death of their infant. Infant mortality is the number of babies born alive but die before the age of one, and is a tragedy that touches many lives in California.
Many improvements and advances have been made in reducing infant deaths, yet African American babies continue to die at a rate of 2:1 in comparison to other babies. In response to the alarming rates of morbidity and mortality in the African American community, the State Department of Health Services expanded it's commitment toward making sure all babies are born healthy, with an emphasis on African American infants. In 1989, the State Department of Health Services, supported by the California legislature, established the Black Infant Health Program placed in the Maternal and Child Health Branch.
The Black Infant Health Program was created in order to face the challenge of improving the health of African American women, infants, and children, in order to reduce the infant mortality.
Contact Us:
Black Infant Health Program
Phone: (951) 210-1392 or (800) 794-4814
