Black Infant Health Program (BIH)

Black Infant Health logo

For more information, call 619-597-6441 or send an email. 

Purpose

The San Diego County Black Infant Health Program (BIH) works to improve African-American infant and maternal health, as well as decrease Black-White health and social inequities for women and infants.

BIH is part of Maternal, Child, and Adolescent Health (MCAH) and is required by the following authorities: Senate Bill (SB165); Health & Safety Code, Section 131051(d)(4); and California Welfare and Institutions Code, Section 14148.9(c-d).

Where this Service is Offered

Black Infant Health
286 Euclid Avenue, Suite 308, San Diego, CA 92114
Phone: (619) 266-7466 | Fax: (619) 262-9188
Email: bih@neighborhoodhouse.org

About BIH

Did you know that compared to San Diego County infants overall, African-American infants* are:

  • Nearly three times more likely to die during their first year of life
  • Nearly 60% more likely to be born premature
  • Nearly two times more likely to be born with low birth weight

BIH is contracted to Neighborhood House Association (NHA) to provide direct BIH services in San Diego County. Within a culturally affirming environment and honoring the unique history of African-American women, BIH aims to help women have healthy babies. The program uses a group-based approach with complementary client-centered case management to help participants develop life skills, strategies to reduce stress, and build social support. Pregnant African-American women benefit from the program by becoming empowered to make positive choices in their life, not only for themselves, but for their families, and future generations of African-American women, infants, and communities.       

*Statistics prepared by: County of San Diego, Health and Human Services Agency, Public Health Services, Maternal, Child, and Family Health Services. Source: State of California, Department of Public Health, Health Information and Research Section, Birth and Death Statistical Master Files. 

Goals

BIH aims to improve health among African-American mothers and babies by:

  • Reducing African-American infant deaths.
  • Empowering women, building resilience, reducing stress, and increasing social support throughout the life course.
  • Promoting healthy behaviors to support health, wellness, and relationships.
  • Promoting healthy relationships and enhance bonding and parenting skills. 
  • Connecting women with medical, social, economic, and mental health services. 
  • Engaging communities to raise community awareness and mobilize community action to support BIH efforts and improve conditions for African American women and their families. 

Services

All BIH services are at NO COST and include:   

  • 10-week prenatal sessions for pregnant women.
  • 10-week postpartum sessions for new moms.
  • Healthy meals, transportation assistance, and other supportive resources during sessions.
  • Individual client plans that address the most important concerns in a woman's life.
  • Referrals to Public Health Nursing and other health and social services. 

Eligibility

  • Pregnant African-American women
  • 16 years of age or older

What Participants Are Saying

  • "I tell others about my great experiences in the BIH program and use what I learned to help me be a better, less stressed wife and mother."
  • "The skills I learned from BIH are eating habits, physical health, and more."
  • "I've learned a lot about being a new mom from the program. The program is very informational."

I Want to Sign Up!

If you are eligible and would like to learn more about enrolling in BIH, please fill out the following form or call BIH at 619-266-7466. You will receive a call from BIH soon in follow-up.

Resources and Links

For more information, call 619-597-6441 or send an email. 

 

Webpage last updated 05/10/2024