Wisconsin’s infant mortality rate remains one of the highest in the United States. To reduce that rate, the Lifecourse Initiative for Healthy Families (LIHF) is taking a new approach, based on community feedback over the past 18 months. As a result, we are focusing on chronic stress due to racism and social discrimination, a key driver of poor birth outcomes among African American mothers and babies.

our mission

We address inequities in African American birth outcomes in Southeastern Wisconsin through capacity building and facilitating systems change using innovative, community-driven asset and evidence-based strategies to improve healthcare and social support.

our vision

​We envision a state that supports all African American families’ ability to thrive.

In partnership with the UW Population Health Institute with funding from the Wisconsin Partnership Program, we have a new three-pronged approach:
 

1. Pilot community capacity building strategies
2. Increase Awareness
3. Build infrastructure, adding new staff and creating a new community Life Strategy Board

Capacity building

Building on community assets, we will work with organizations to assess their strengths, challenges, opportunities and capacity to engage and serve African American mothers and families. We will then match those organizations with the resources they need.

Raising Awareness

We will engage the African American community to raise awareness about the issues of infant mortality, maternal child health and how mental health relates to poor birth outcomes.  
​We will also share what LIHF is doing to assist organizations in this work.

Community Leadership 

Community leadership will be key as we assemble a new LIHF Strategy Board that will provide guidance and help us build and employ community partnerships as we engage African American women and families. 

There is power in the African American community in the form of assets, resources and history. There are community-based and culturally appropriate resources available, as well as grassroots and traditional organizations that are eager to improve services and the environment for African American families to survive and thrive. LIHF believes stressors can be reduced, perceptions or stressors can be modified and skills for effectively dealing with stressors can be developed. We will document our progress to add to the body of knowledge that supports future initiatives throughout the state of Wisconsin.

The Issue

Birth outcomes and infant mortality are key indicators of community well-being.
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​LIHF Responds to Kenosha Tragedy

On August 23, 2020, Kenosha experienced a tragedy with the shooting of father of three Jacob Blake at the hands of a police officer, followed by civil unrest with racial undertones. The incident has had a major impact on the Kenosha community and has highlighted the issues of institutional racism, discrimination and health disparities. The Lifecourse Initiative for Healthy Families (LIHF) remains deeply concerned along with many others at what appears to be the ongoing inhumanity against people of color across this nation.  

Read full statement here 

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