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Board proclaims third week of February as Black Infant Health Week, public health officials outline outreach and education plans
Summary
San Joaquin County announced an annual designation of Black Infant Health Week and public-health leaders described the county program's focus on education, provider outreach and building patient trust to address racial disparities in infant mortality.
The San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors proclaimed the third week of February each year as Black Infant Health Week and heard from public-health staff about local disparities and outreach plans.
Clerk of the Board read a proclamation noting county and state data showing higher rates of low birth weight, prematurity and infant mortality among Black infants; the proclamation records San Joaquin County’s Black infant mortality rate as 11.51 per 1,000 live births compared with the state average of 8.51 per 1,000. The proclamation, presented Jan. 28, 2025, recognizes the county’s Black Infant Health Program and its staff.
Renee Simsari, the county public health director, joined maternal-child program staff at the dais. Angela Ebuchulam, the Black Infant Health coordinator, told supervisors that Black infants “are more than twice as likely as infants from other ethnic group to die before their 1st birthday” and said the program seeks to raise professional and public awareness, empower pregnant people to advocate for their care and teach evidence-based prenatal and postpartum practices.
Ebuchulam described program elements including a public nurse, family advocate and a curriculum of prenatal and postpartum classes. She urged provider education and said the program’s goal is “to build a champion between our providers and the community and to educate them about these significant numbers we have…If we can educate them to simply listen to our participant, to black women when they are complaining, for them to listen and actually help these women, we might save lives.”
Several supervisors thanked program staff and urged a focus on outcomes, provider diversity and advocacy. Supervisor Ding emphasized advocacy and clients’ need for an advocate in medical settings; Chair Canapa and Vice Chair Dhaliwal pledged to work with partners to support outreach.
The proclamation was presented without a contested vote; staff described next steps including continued provider outreach, community education, prenatal and postpartum classes and mental-health supports integrated into the program.
