Perinatal Equity Initiative launches public awareness campaign

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African American mother smiles and cradles her baby. — *The Perinatal Equity Initiative raises awareness and connects families to care and resources.*

The San Bernardino County Public Health Department’s Perinatal Equity Initiative (PEI) has launched its third public awareness campaign to raise awareness of disparities in birth outcomes for Black women and help reduce mortality rates for Black and African American mothers and babies in our community. This effort underscores an urgent need: in San Bernardino County, Black babies are nearly three times more likely to die before their first birthday than white babies. The campaign connects families with supportive programs and services while increasing awareness of these disparities.

The campaign is being carried out in partnership with the Westside Story Newspaper and the radio program The Empire Talks Back with Wallace Allen on KCAA Radio (1050 AM and 106.5 FM). The radio segment airs live on Sunday mornings and is also available online at KCAA and on iHeartRadio, helping expand access to important information for families across the region.

These disparities are driven by many factors that go beyond individual health behaviors. Long-standing inequities such as social and economic disadvantages and unequal access to quality healthcare contribute to poorer birth outcomes. Chronic stress caused by social disparities and limited access to resources, such as safe housing, transportation and quality prenatal care, can further increase health risks for Black mothers and their babies.

“We are committed to meeting families where they are and ensuring they feel heard, respected, and supported throughout their pregnancy journey,” said Monique Amis, division chief of community and family health. “This campaign helps connect our community to services designed with their needs in mind.”

The goal of the public awareness campaign is to ensure that more families know about available services, including culturally centered programs such as Black Infant Health, the expanded supports provided through the Perinatal Equity Initiative, the Fetal Infant Mortality Review, and other local supports for mothers and babies. By increasing awareness and strengthening community partnerships, the San Bernardino County Department of Public Health is working to help every baby have a healthy start and every mother receive respectful, quality care.

For more information, visit the Perinatal Equity Initiative website for resources and support services offered through PEI.

Additional County Update News – April 2, 2026