Document Type

Capstone Experience

Graduation Date

8-2024

Degree Name

Master of Public Health

Department

Health Promotion

First Committee Member

Marisa Rosen, PhD, MPHD

Second Committee Member

Chad Abresch, PhD

Third Committee Member

Keyonna King, DrPH, MA

Abstract

The United States (U.S.) has made substantial progress in reducing fetal and infant mortality, but high rates of infant mortality persist, particularly within minority populations. In Douglas County, Nebraska, racial disparities in infant mortality rates remain a significant issue. In 2019, the infant mortality rate among African American mothers was 14.2 infant deaths per 1,000 live births, compared to 5.7 infant deaths per 1,000 live births among Caucasian mothers.

To reduce fetal and infant mortality in the U.S., the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention along with the Human Resources and Services Administration, fund the Fetal and Infant Mortality Review (FIMR, an evidence-based model to identify contributing factors and assess community needs while prioritizing recommendations to address this challenge for women, infants, and families of all races and ethnicities. In Douglas County, Nebraska, FIMR has operated since 2006. Following the model, a community review team and community action team, also known as the Baby Blossom Collaborative (BBC), have worked in Douglas County, to improve fetal and infant mortality rates through various interventions focused on preconception, prenatal care, infant health, and safe sleep. This paper provides a process evaluation plan grounded in CDC Evaluation Framework to understand how FIMR has been implemented over the past five years in Nebraska, assess fidelity to the FIMR process, and identify key facilitators and barriers to implementation of FIMR in Nebraska. The results will be shared with participants, and the insights gained can be used to improve FIMR and inform future efforts to address infant mortality in the community.

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