LOVE THY NEIGHBORLOVE THY NEIGHBORCity MatCH: Denver, COCity MatCH: Denver, CO

March of Dimes’ PanelMarch of Dimes’ Panel

Marie James, DirectorJeremiah Wellness CenterMacedonia Baptist Church

Byron L. Craig, Pastor/TeacherNorristown, PA

A pilot project for the March of Dimes- CDC cooperative agreement "Reducing Disparities in Premature Birth"

August 26, 2007

LOVE THY NEIGHBOR

The Norristown Community faces serious challenges: Access to care Disparities in health outcomes for most vulnerable population

Implemented to address some of these issuesDesigned to reduce disparities by use of:

Trusted relationshipsNetworking with health agenciesIncreasing knowledgeSupporting women (spiritually, emotionally and practically) through pregnancy

LOVE THY NEIGHBORNorristown:

County seat of Montgomery County, PAPopulation: 31,282 (2000 Census Bureau)

Montgomery County: 3rd largest county by population in the state of PA44th wealthiest county in the US (based upon per capita income, 2000 Census data)

(Norristown Alliance For Healthy Babies, Community Action Plan 6/07)

LOVE THY NEIGHBOR

Demographics from 2000 Census Data

Montgomery

County Norristown

Families below poverty 2.8% 13.5%

Per Capita Income $30,898 $17,977

Percentage African-American 7.5% 34.8%

Percentage Renter Occupied Homes 26.5% 51.9%

(Norristown Alliance For Healthy Babies, Community Action Plan 6/07)

Norristown Births2000-2004

509562

657

9376

718

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004

Montgomery County Births2000-2004

9554 94799778

9376 9578

0

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

6000

7000

8000

9000

10000

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004

LOVE THY NEIGHBOR

(Norristown Alliance For Healthy Babies, Community Action Plan 6/07)

Norristown Births to Hispanic Women, 2000-2004

95112

1839376

267

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004

LOVE THY NEIGHBOR

(Norristown Alliance For Healthy Babies, Community Action Plan 6/07)

LOVE THY NEIGHBOR

Project Objectives:#1: Mentoring Mommies Program

#2: Health Education Classes

#3 Youth Advisory Board

LOVE THY NEIGHBORMENTORING MOMMIES’ Goals

Provide Spanish language education to improve participation in early and consistent prenatal care Connect pregnant women to local resources, serve as interpreters and advocate when necessaryProvide monthly mentoring calls to pregnant women to ensure compliance with care and provide emotional support

LOVE THY NEIGHBOR

Access to Services: 3 TsTransportation assistance

Translation

Trust/Time

LOVE THY NEIGHBOR

Adopting Healthy Behaviors: 3 MsMentor calls

Modeling

Ministry

LOVE THY NEIGHBOR

Barriers to the 3 Ts & Ms are:LanguageMoneyDomestic violenceLack of trustFear of governmentCultural norms“New cultural rules”

LOVE THY NEIGHBOR

Results of the 3 Ts and 3 Ms approach:Social support networks developedPeer support/behavior modifiedNutrition improvedAppointment complianceReading and seeking health information increased Spouse involvement increasedChildbirth education classes participationHealth education classes participation:

Dental care, hypertension and diabetes

LOVE THY NEIGHBOR

For additional information please contact:

Marie Y. James, DirectorJeremiah Wellness Center Macedonia Baptist Church

2633 Hillcrest AvenueNorristown, PA 19401

610-239-0192 or myj67@msn.com

LOVE THY NEIGHBORLOVE THY NEIGHBOR

Thank you for the opportunity to share this information with you.