The Birthing Project USA

What if a child’s life could be greatly improved before he was were even born? In 2006, the U.S. had the second worst newborn death rate in the world (W.H.O). African-Americans suffer infant mortality rates nearly double that of the general population. What is the cause of these alarming statistics? Where do we begin to make a change? Meet Kathryn Hall-Trujillo mother, grandmother, and founder of the Birthing Project USA. Find out how this Public Health Advisor took matters into her own hands after uncovering the spending budget for treating sick babies. 

CM: Can you tell us about the Birthing Project USA?
KHT: The Birthing Project was founded in my home almost twenty years ago. Our original intent was to lower infant mortality, by matching up experienced mothers with pregnant teens and women to guide them through their pregnancies and their babies’ first year of life.

CM: What kind of services do you provide?
KHT: We are best known for our SisterFriend Program. SisterFriends are community volunteers who provide one-on-one support to pregnant and parenting teens. A SisterFriends support includes helping pregnant moms find access to and understand prenatal care, as well as other critical resources such as housing, education, and child-care.

CM: How did you come to create this organization?
KHT: As a Public Health Advisor for the State of California, I was alarmed by the amount of money we were spending to provide care for sick babies. I believed it would be more cost effective to take care of pregnant mothers. I was also distressed by the disparity in birth outcomes between African American and other babies.

CM: How much has the project grown since it was created in 1988?
KTH: The Birthing Project was formed in 1988 as a local organization in Sacramento, California. Since then the organization has grown thanks to individual investors like Tchaka Muhammed and corporate sponsors like Dr. Miracles hair care. To date we have almost ninety Birthing Project chapters in communities around the United States, Canada and, Honduras. We have been so successful that in 2003, when we reached 10,000 babies, I stopped counting successful births.

CM: What are some statistics regarding infant mortality that many people are unaware of?
KTH:

• The US has the highest rate of babies who die before their first birthday, more so than any other developed country, including Cuba. According to the most recent CIA Fact Book Report, thirty-three countries have lower rates than the US.
• During the last century, we lost more babies less than a year old than all the soldiers we lost in World War I, World War II, Korea, and Vietnam.
• In every community in the US, African American babies die at a rate at least 2.5 times that of Anglo babies.
• The African American infant mortality rate does not adjust by age, education, or income.