Abstract
Purpose To provide recommendations for improving rates of infant mortality in a U.S. southeastern city using a collective impact approach. Description A convening organization and its academic partner devised a systematic process involving national experts and local stakeholders. Assessment A panel of infant mortality experts reached consensus on eight recommendations and three key overarching principles. Local stakeholder groups advanced four recommendations, of which three aligned closely with expert panel recommendations: (1) increasing access to, and use of 17-alpha hydroxyprogesterone caproate (17P); (2) reshaping housing policy using a health lens, and (3) supporting pre-conception health, intra-conception health and family planning. Conclusion The dynamic process of recommendation development occurred within a larger collective impact framework and can be used to shape a community-based approach to infant mortality. Other communities interested in improving rates of infant mortality or tackling other challenging public health issues could engage in a similar process.
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Acknowledgements
We would like to thank members of the expert panel, the Nashville Infant Vitality Collaborative, Carrie Fry, and Sarah Greenberg for their contributions to this project and manuscript. All errors are our own.
Funding
This research was supported by Grant #39040 and Grant #53178 from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
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Leslie, E.T.A., Buntin, M.B. A Systematic Approach to Translating Evidence into Practice to Reduce Infant Mortality. Matern Child Health J 22, 1550–1555 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-018-2608-9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-018-2608-9