Closing The Gap Initiative

The Reducing Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities “Closing the Gap” grant program, section 381.7351, Florida Statutes, was signed into law on June 8, 2000. The program is administered by the Office of Equal Opportunity and Minority Health. Since the initial appropriations, a total of $24.8 million has been awarded by the Legislature to provide funding through grants to local counties and organizations. These grants are utilized to stimulate the development of community and neighborhood-based organizations to improve health outcomes of racial and ethnic populations and promote disease prevention activities.

In 2000, the Central Hillsborough Healthy Start Project was awarded a "Closing the Gap Grant" by the Florida Department of Health for communities to work together in support of programs which will assist in eliminating health disparities. Closing the Gap activities in Hillsborough County (FL) provide educational information on bacterial vaginosis, periodontal disease, maternal nutrition and baby spacing to women, their extended families and the community.

The goal of the Closing the Gap Project in Hillsborough County is to decrease racial and ethnic disparities in maternal and infant mortality rates. By fostering the development of joint partnerships with the public and private organizations, CHHS with its Closing the Gap Project will function as a link between state and local government, faith-based organizations, social service providers and nontraditional partners.

The Central Hillsborough Healthy Start Closing the Gap Project is a match funded program that builds on the consumer-driven education and awareness work plan strategies developed by the collaborative group to impact the root causes of disparity in Hillsborough County infant mortality rates. Funding will specifically contribute towards an education and awareness campaign to reduce the disproportionate level of infant mortality among Black and Hispanic women in Hillsborough County. The focus of the supplemental efforts is to carry out the Local Health System Community Disparity Action Plan in Hillsborough County. One dollar in local matching funds from the Children& #8217;s Board of Hillsborough County is required for each $3 grant payment made by the state Department of Health.

Neighborhood facilitators who will function as change agents will be recruited, trained and maintained to provide education and support to a minimum of 480 women and their partners about the risks associated with maternal infections, specifically Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) and the benefits to treating BV as soon as it is detected and early detection of periodontal disease. Additionally individuals attending Community Council meetings and other events will gain awareness and be better educated about bacterial vaginosis, periodontal disease, maternal nutrition and baby spacing. Additionally, the campaign and educational support will also address the importance of good maternal nutrition, baby spacing, preconception and interconception care.

The overall program is to assist the community in mobilizing and organizing their resources in support of effective and sustainable programs that will assist in eliminating health disparities of racial and ethnic populations and to provide community level interventions that eliminate health disparities with the goal of replicating their successes in other communities.

What You Can Do To Have a Healthy Baby! Things You Should Know.

Bacterial Vaginosis (BV)

BV is not a sexually transmitted disease. It is a vaginal infection where healthy bacteria are replaced with unhealthy bacteria. The unhealthy bacteria may cause a pregnant woman's water to break too soon. This can make her have an early labor and cause her to have a preterm, low birth weight baby. In the U.S., as many as 16% of pregnant women have BV, with highest rates reported among African American and Hispanic women. Douching increases your chances of getting BV.

Periodontal (Gum) Disease

Also referred to as gum disease, this refers to a group of problems that arise in the gum and gum crevices. When gums in your mouth become infected with unhealthy bacteria, these bacteria can infect the entire body and MAY cause a pregnant woman to start labor early, causing her to have a preterm and/or low birth weight baby.

Maternal Nutrition

Eating a well-balanced diet to promote the health of all women of childbearing age and their infants starts before getting pregnant and should continue until after delivery. Taking folic acid can help prevent birth defects of the brain and spinal cord. These defects can cause serious health problems and may lead to the baby's death. If you are using or have questions about taking medications, vitamins or herbal remedies, talk to your health care provider first.

Baby Spacing

Baby spacing is having children born between 2 1/2 and 3 years apart. It is best to wait at least two years before getting pregnant again. This gives your body a chance to restore its nutrients. Mothers with children born too close together often experience problems that hinder her relationship with each child.

Want to learn more? For more information, call Central Hillsborough Healthy Start Project at 813/974-0312 or by fax at 813/558-5044. You can also e-mail Hope Tackett at htackett@health.usf.edu or Cheri Wright-Jones at cwright@health.usf.edu