Experts to discuss Black infant mortality rates, racial disparities

A virtual panel of experts will discuss today high rates of Black infant and maternal deaths in

Los Angeles County and what is being done to reduce health disparities caused by racism.

The panel will launch a series of events taking place all week as part of Black Maternal Health

Week recognized by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors last month. The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health and First 5 LA, in partnership with the L.A. County African American Infant and Maternal Mortality Initiative, are organizing the virtual panel kickoff.

“The goal of the week is to raise awareness about the issue and the efforts of public health and community leaders across the county to oppose racism and discrimination at its root and support healthy and joyous births for Black families,” said Dr. Melissa Franklin, representative for the L.A. County AAIMM Initiative.

Franklin said a Black newborn in Los Angeles County “is more than three times as likely to die as a White newborn, more than 2½ times

as likely to die as a Latino newborn and more than fives as likely to die in the first year of life as an infant identified as Asian/ Pacific Islander.”

Dr. Barbara Ferrer, director of the L.A. County Department of Public Health, has said in previous reports that every baby should have an equal chance of survival, regardless of the color of their skin or where their families live.

“This means fighting for quality schools; clean air, water and soil; social connections with each other; jobs that pay living wages; affordable housing; safe neighborhoods, and good food,” Ferrer said.

At today’s launch, Dr. Deborah Allen, Deputy Director of the L.A. County Department of Public Health, will provide an update on the state of the initiative’s five-year plan. In addition to Franklin, panelists will include: Brandi Sims, health systems program officer for First 5 LA; Raena Granberry, perinatal equity initiative coordinator, Department of Public Health; Adjoa Jones, founding leader of African American Infant and Maternal Mortality Community Action Team at L.A. County Department of Health Services; Michelle Sanders, Doula Advisory Committee lead, Department of Public Health; Yolanda Roger Jones, coordinator of Black Infant Health Program, Department of Public Health; and Dana Sherrod, racial justice manager for Cherished Futures for Black Moms and Babies, Public Health Alliance.