G1 - A Multifaceted Approach to Addressing Chronic Disease Prevention and Stress Reduction for Childbearing Women of Color at Risk of Poor Birthing Outcomes In New Jersey

Please click the Play Video button to watch the video prior to joining the Q&A.

Full Description: Chronic disease is a national public health issue. According to March of Dimes, the presence of chronic illness and stress during pregnancy can cause poor outcomes such as infertility, preterm birth, birth defects, miscarriage, and stillbirth.

Black women experience higher rates of many preventable chronic illnesses including diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease. The New Jersey Department of Health produced estimated percentages from weighted samples from the New Jersey Behavioral Risk Factor Survey (NJBRFS.) In 2017, among childbearing women ages 18-44, Black women (19%) were nearly twice as likely as white women (10%) and Hispanic/Latino women of any race (10%) to be diagnosed with hypertension. In terms of mental health, Women of Color (WOC) often face weathering, biological wearing due to a life span exposure of chronic stress from oppression, discrimination, and racial disparities. Many WOC who reside in marginalized communities encounter historic inequalities constructed by systemic racism that impede the health of families. These disparities are often reflected in the absence of quality nutritious foods, outdoor green spaces, safe and proper environments for physical activity, mental health practice accessibility, and additional obstacles.

To address barriers faced in communities with the highest prevalence of chronic disease, poor birth outcomes, and pregnancy-related complications, the Prematurity Prevention Initiative collaborated with a local community garden, C.R.O.P.S, and The Leadership Studio to provide the Seedlings Program for pregnant, postpartum, and intrapartum women. Seedlings featured a 3-phase, 12-week program that provided education and empowerment regarding chronic disease awareness, healthy nutrition, stress reduction, and physical activity. Women were provided with 2 weekly virtual classes featuring home gardening instruction, mediation, yoga, and peer support groups. Women who participated were mailed microgreens, lettuce, and bean sprout container gardens, farmer’s market vouchers, gift cards, and corresponding educational information. Participants also attended weekly educational chronic disease classes that reviewed diabetes and hypertension prevention. Seedlings participants completed pre-and post-tests in each of the 4-week phases and demonstrated a combined 16% increase in understanding of nutrition, chronic disease, and physical activity.

After completing this workshop, attendees will be able to implement a chronic disease awareness and prevention program. Attendees will develop an in-depth understanding of the connection between systemic racism and its impact on maternal health in marginalized communities today and develop actionable strategies to address related disparities. Attendees will build effective strategies for collaborating with local partners to build a curriculum and evaluation to serve the needs of communities impacted by poor pregnancy-related outcomes.

Abbreviated Description: Workshop attendees will be taught key components of implementing a chronic disease awareness and prevention program. Attendees will develop an in-depth understanding of the connection between systemic racism and its impact on maternal health in marginalized communities today and develop actionable strategies to address related disparities. Attendees will build effective strategies for collaborating with local partners to build a curriculum and evaluation to serve the needs of communities impacted by poor pregnancy-related outcomes.