Barbers for Babies Workshop

Barbers for Babies Event

Chat & Chew September 9 th & 10 th / Brentwood Lakes & Cleveland Arms Grassroots activities were held in the neighborhoods because research has shown that word of mouth & one-on-one contact works! African American babies die at two times the rate of other races. Racism & its impact over the life course creates a disparate effect on African American women & contributes to poor birth outcomes. Prematurity is a leading cause of death for infants.

Chat & Chew Facilitated by BIHCC members, community residents talked about infant mortality at two Chat & Chew’s. More than 70 people of all ages participated & discussed: –Infant mortality –Root causes –Impact on Jacksonville –Ways to prevent infant mortality Free food & drinks were given during the event. Promoted by community & housing complex leaders. Made a significant impact because families were able to ask important questions & get real answers.

Chat & Chew

Walk for Awareness & Health Fair September 26, 2009 / A. Philip Randolph Park Infant Mortality Awareness Event held to promote healthy behaviors & educate families in HZ1 about infant mortality! Jacksonville’s rate of infant mortality is higher than the state, U.S. & many third world countries. 43% of babies in 2007 were born to low income mothers. A family’s economic status directly impacts birth outcomes.

More than 170 community residents attended the health fair & walk for awareness. 67 people walked the 5k in honor of the many lives that have been lost before reaching their first birthday. Supported by the Buffalo Soldiers. 12 agencies & organizations participated in the health fair. More than $1,100 was raised by the walkers.

Walk for Awareness

Teen Talk: Infant Mortality November 14, 2009 & December 12, 2009 / Kingdom Plaza Bowling Lanes Teen activities were held because many teens are sexually active at an early age & health education is needed! Healthy Start initiatives focus on women of childbearing years (15-44). 18% of babies born in Duval were to mothers who did not complete high school. More students in Jacksonville are not promoted, drop out, do not graduate & are less likely to attend well-performing schools versus statewide.

Teen Talk: Infant Mortality information

Teen Talk: Infant Mortality

Granny Said December 29, 2009 / Historic Mt. Zion AME Church Grandmothers are an incredibly important link to our community & need to be educated on healthy behaviors for our mothers, fathers & babies. 40% of women moved, 33% argued excessively with their partners, 27% experienced financial difficulties & 20% lost a family member or close friend. Maternal stress, caused by social, environmental & economic factors, as well as individual behavior, has been linked to pre-term labor & other conditions impacting pregnancy.

Granny Said Granny Said, hosted by the BIHCC, was a workshop for grandmothers. 15 grandmothers & one grandfather attended the workshop on infant mortality, safe sleep & the important role they have in the lives of children. Grandparents stand as the gatekeeper & strong role models for children in our community. pic

Granny Said

Let’s talk numbers… Make Noise Make a Difference impacts the Jacksonville community. Nearly 900 people were impacted during the social marketing campaign through one-one-one contact & 1.5 million through mass media! Families heard about the events through many different avenues: Door-to-Door Magnolia Project, Hold Out the Life Line & Azalea Project Flyer dissemination Winn-Dixie, Norwood Avenue Flea Market & Brentwood Lakes Apartments Mass Media Billboards, Radio, Theatre Advertising & PSA’s

Let’s talk numbers… WSOL & WJBT Radio Reach: 42,530 Impressions: 269,300 Florida Times-Union Reach: 270,000 Daily Billboard Reach: 1.35 million Hollywood & Regency Theatres Reach: 12,688 First Coast News Reach: 23,000 WJXT TV4 Reach: 58,000 WOKV 690 Reach: 18,000

Fundraising & Friend-Raising Healthy Start Friends: Congresswoman Corrine Brown, Councilperson Glorious Johnson, Councilperson Warren Jones, Senator Tony Hill, Representative Mia Jones, Representative Audrey Gibson, National Office of Minority Health, JCCI, Duval County Health Department, Alpha Kappa Alpha, Pan Hellenic Council, Kappa Alpha Psi, Junior League, Buffalo Soldiers & the Links Money Raised: Winn-Dixie Foundation, Winn-Dixie Baby Club, Regions, Wolfson Children’s Hospital, Blue Cross & Blue Shield, Chartrand Foundation, Jacksonville Transportation Authority, Pearson Learning

Money Spent & Money Raised Young Philanthropist’s Donation: $70,000 O. Communication & Armstrong Design Group: $30,000 Raised: $23,000 Healthy Start match: $10,000 Money used towards hiring firms, marketing materials, mass media advertising, Family Reunion for Our Future Event Smaller grassroots outreach activities: $30,000 Barbers for Babies Chat & Chew Color Our World Evaluation : $10,000 Teen Talk Walk for Awareness Granny Said

Did we raise awareness? Focus groups of residents in target zip codes were conducted pre- and post- implementation. More than 60 residents participated (ages 18-24, 25-50, 51+).

Did we raise awareness? Post-groups demonstrated higher awareness about the term “infant mortality” as compared to pre-groups. Differences in pre- and post-understanding were most evident among groups ages and Younger post-group members demonstrated greater awareness than their pre-group counterparts.

Did we raise awareness? Younger post-group participants (age 18-24) cited specific campaign events (e.g. the empty stroller march) when discussing black infant mortality. There was more awareness in older post-groups (ages and 51+) about the impact of women’s health prior to and during pregnancy on outcomes compared to pre-groups. Post-groups more so than pre-groups focused on specific risks and behaviors mentioned in the social marketing campaign (nutrition, social support, SIDS, access to care) when discussing reasons for racial disparities in birth outcomes.

Impact & Next Steps Public Health & Safety Committee – City Council requested a presentation on infant mortality in Jacksonville. Junior League – New partnership and volunteers for upcoming activities with women of childbearing age. Bus Advertising Campaign – HRSA approved carry-over money for bus campaign promoting the Make a Noise – Make a Difference campaign. Opportunity for multi-year funding of community education and awareness campaign!!