Earlier today, the Los Angeles County African American Infant and Maternal Mortality Prevention Initiative (AAIMM) was recognized as a 2023 Culture of Health Prize Winner by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF). This award celebrates united efforts in U.S. communities in overcoming social obstacles to health and wellbeing, as per the County of Los Angeles Public Health.
A movement in Los Angeles County, driven by a passion for justice and supported by Black families, has been vigorously tackling the root of Black maternal health disparities. The diligent contributions of AAIMM have led to the provision of free doula support to nearly 1,000 Black individuals who have given birth and their families. Additionally, two culturally affirming maternity homes have been established, and four Community Action Teams have been initiated. These teams collaborate with the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health to instill antiracism in societal norms and policies.
“Black women in Los Angeles County die at a three to four times higher rate and Black infants at a two to three times higher rate than those from other races before reaching their first birthday,” mentioned Barbara Ferrer, Ph.D. Director of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. She attributed these discrepancies to "unfair longstanding policies and practices that put Black and Brown communities at a disadvantage in terms of resources they need for wellbeing.” The exceptional efforts of AAIMM elucidate the power of shared vision and collaboration in the fight against structural racism.
The AAIMM is a collaboration of community members with first-hand experience, the Department of Public Health, First 5 LA, community organizations, health care providers, funding sources and other county departments. These combined groups work toward a single purpose: to reduce the high rates of Black infant and maternal deaths in LA County and ensure healthy births for Black families.
The 2023 RWJF Culture of Health Prize has other proficient winners from Austin, Texas; Baltimore, Maryland; Detroit, Michigan; Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Reservation; Houston, Texas; Ramsey County, Minnesota; Tacoma, Washington; and Zuni Pueblo. The list reflects the importance of community partnerships in enhancing overall wellbeing. Julie Morita, MD, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation executive vice president said, "These prize-winning works of our present and past underscore the longevity of solutions born in the community, and their success inspires higher levels of collaboration across public and private sectors." She also affirmed the necessity of placing leaders with lived experiences at the forefront in the battle against barriers in health and wellbeing, as per the County of Los Angeles Public Health.
With the 2023 Culture of Health Prize, the AAIMM receives $250,000, nationwide recognition for the community's stories, and further opportunities to widen its networks and accelerate the development of a healthier community. While this recognition is certainly merited, there still remains ample scope to address the systemic issues affecting the health outcomes of Black families both in Los Angeles County and nationwide.
The achievements of AAIMM and similar initiatives accentuate the need for a multifaceted approach to mitigating ingrained health disparities. Addressing structural racism necessitates policy reforms along with productive collaboration across public, private, nonprofit sectors and, importantly, the active participation of the communities being affected. Los Angeles County's award-winning strides serve as a testament to the power of unity and resolve in sparking positive change amidst injustice. The recognition from RWJF for community-oriented solutions further emphasizes that sustainable change primarily begins at the local level, with the direct involvement of those most significantly affected by the issues at hand.
