Perinatal Equity Initiative

Perinatal Services and Family Planning works to improve pregnancy and family planning outcomes by ensuring all residents of the county have access to quality care.

Perinatal Equity Initiative

Program Information

The Perinatal Equity Initiative consists of interventions designed to reach pregnant and postpartum African American birthing people in the county, regardless of socioeconomic status or city of residence.

The Alameda County Perinatal Equity Initiative (PEI) aims to dismantle the unjust systems and practices that are robbing Black birthing people and babies of their futures.

Centering Black families in the work we do means equity, safety, and health for everyone.

Reducing the gap in infant mortality between African Americans and all other racial/ethnic groups in Alameda County is a top priority.

Image of a Black pregnant people

Perinatal Equity Initiative

Black women and birthing people face challenges that stem from policies and systems rooted in racism. They are twice as likely to live in poverty or to experience hardships, such as homelessness or the incarceration of a loved one, during pregnancy. In addition, chronic, transgenerational exposure to racism results in toxic stress that has been shown to have a negative impact on the health and wellbeing of Black people, regardless of income or education levels. It is time for all of us to work together to change this story. Find out what you can do to help by following @DeliverBirthJustice and visiting Deliverbirthjustice.org.

Contact Us

Alameda County PEI
Daphina Melbourne
Perinatal and Reproductive Equity Coordinator
Alameda County Health, Public Health Department

Phone: (510) 267-3257
Email: Daphina.Melbourne@acgov.org

Alameda County
Maternal, Paternal, Child, & Adolescent Health
MPCAH

Phone: (510) 667-4333
Email: startingoutstrong@acgov.org

Media Inquiries

Austin Wingate
Public Information Manager
Alameda County Health, Public Health Department

Phone: (510) 208-5905
Email: austin.wingate@acgov.org

Photo of a pregnant black woman in a park

Black women are 3 X

more likely to die during pregnancy or childbirth and to experience more maternal health complications

Photo of a black baby being held up in the air

Black babies are 3-4 X

more likely to be born too early, too small, or to die before their first birthday

Photo of a black family in a park with the dad wrapping his arms around his pregnant wife and the son kissing his mom's belly

Black women & families are 2 X

more likely to live in poverty or experience hardships during pregnancy

Explore Perinatal Equity Initiative Programs

#DeliverBirthJustice

#DeliverBirthJustice is an effort to help people understand what Black pregnant people and Black people who are having babies are facing on a day-to-day basis so that we can move into recognizing that if racism is the problem, dismantling racism is the only solution.
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Abundant Birth

The Abundant Birth Project (ABP) is a guaranteed income program that provides cash during pregnancy. It was developed by Expecting Justice, research partners, and the community to make birthing healthier and safer for the people facing the greatest risk during their pregnancy journey.
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BElovedBIRTH Black Centering

Services include perinatal groups sessions to promote Black women's well-being, healthy pregnancy, child development, and trauma recovery. Two prenatal series are offered—EmbraceBIRTH childbirth education and BElovedBIRTH Black Centering group prenatal care in collaboration with Alameda Health System.
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Doula Support Services

ACPHD Doula Support Services is currently developing programming to connect Black birthing and pregnant people with community doulas and to train Black community members to become doulas. Coming soon.
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