Decade‑long RAACD initiative credited with systems changes; recent data show pandemic‑era upticks in some infant mortality measures

Summary

First 5 Sacramento and its partners presented a decade‑long update on efforts to reduce African American child deaths (RAACD). Community partners and evaluators reported program outcomes — including pregnancy peer support, family resource center services, safe‑sleep education and concrete needs assistance — and discussed recent county data showing

First 5 Sacramento and community partners on Aug. 4 provided an extensive update on more than a decade of work to reduce African American child deaths (RAACD), presenting program results, community practice changes and countywide mortality trends through calendar year 2022.

Linda Fong Samara (First 5 lead for RAACD) and Jadita Gomes (Sierra Health Foundation/Black Child Legacy Campaign) emphasized that the initiative combines data and community voice. Partners said local community‑based organizations and a network of trusted leaders have been key to outreach and service delivery across identified high‑need ZIP codes, and that a “concrete needs” pilot has provided emergency assistance to stabilize families.

Applied Survey Research (ASR) presented program outcomes for FY2021–24. ASR reported that the Black Mothers United (BMU) pregnancy peer‑support program served pregnant people who were largely living in RAACD focal neighborhoods and that pregnancy coaches, doula support and group connections correlated with strong birth‑outcome measures. ASR reported 66 BMU births in the most recent fiscal year and said there were zero newborn deaths at program exit for the fifth consecutive year. A three‑year review (2020–2022) of 241 BMU births showed 1 infant death…

Decade‑long RAACD initiative credited with systems changes; recent data show pandemic‑era upticks in some infant mortality measures

Summary

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