Photographer: Brandon Bell/Getty Images
May 10, 2024 Story by: Editor
The Cleveland Department of Public Health, alongside its MomsFirst program, has been granted $5 million in operational funding over the next five years to improve outcomes for Black mothers and infants.
This funding is critical because Cleveland grapples with stark racial disparities in infant mortality rates. Black infants experience 15.4 deaths per 1,000 births, nearly triple the national average, while white infants face 6.9 deaths per 1,000 births.
The funding originates from a $105 million allocation by the Biden-Harris administration, designated for community organizations engaged in maternal and infant healthcare.
Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra emphasized, “Ensuring a safe and healthy pregnancy and birth should not be contingent upon skin color, language spoken at home, or geographical location.” Source: Axios.com.
MomsFirst was established in Cleveland in 1991 as a home visitation program, initially aimed at aiding expectant mothers during pregnancy and infants in their first 18 months. Participants are paired with community health workers who provide support throughout pregnancy, offering guidance on various topics including breastfeeding, mental health, and family planning.
Over time, the program has evolved to place a primary emphasis on reducing the Black infant mortality rate.
In March, MomsFirst appointed Kathleen Solove as its new director. Solove brings a wealth of experience, holding a master’s degree in public health from the University of Kentucky and a bachelor’s degree in psychology and health communication from Case University.
