It Takes a Village: Project NAF tackles infant mortality

Belinda Grant,
Executive Director of NAF

While there is no conclusive evidence as to why African-American women have a high rate of infant mortality, it is believed that stressors such as low income, unemployment, and lack of education coincide with the increased rate of pre and post natal problems.

By T.J. Moore

What is inspiration?


Webster’s dictionary may define inspiration as “the action or power of moving the intellect or emotions.” Others may look at the word as simply a state of being. However, to many area African-American mothers and mothers to be, inspiration is defined in three letters — N.A.F.



“They
are very supportive,” says Tashika Collins, “Some [expecting mothers]
don’t have anyone to talk to or a support system. NAF has always been
there.”


For seven years,
project NAF (Nurturing Asheville and Area Families) have been working
relentlessly and energetically to increase the quality of prenatal care
and decrease infant mortality and low birth rates among
African-American babies.



In North
Carolina, African-American babies are twice as likely as white babies
to die before they reach their first birthday. African-American babies
are also more likely than white babies to be born premature, and too
small. While there is no conclusive evidence as to why African-American
women have a high rate of infant mortality, it is believed that
stressors such as low income, unemployment, and lack of education
coincide with the increased rate of pre and post natal problems.



If those
stressors were not enough, there is one problem that is even more
disturbing-substandard health care for the African-American woman.
“Several women said to me that they felt like cattle [instead of
patients],” said NAF founder Belinda Grant, “They told me that the
providers, were condescending, and they felt like they didn’t have any
privacy. The majority of women that I talked to felt as if no one cared
about the specific needs of the African-American woman.”



In order to
treat and ultimately cure this problem, Grant believes in looking at
all aspects of the women’s lives. “Project NAF believes in a holistic
approach to the goal of healthier babies,” she said.



Project NAF
provides their participants with prenatal support services,
coordination of child care and transportation for prenatal medical
appointments and well-baby checkups. The program features
individualized parenting support. “We give the participant
psychoanalysis. We ask them how they feel about their pregnancy, the
father of the baby, and themselves,” Grant said.



One participant
finds NAF’s methods unique. “It’s different. You have a bunch of
originations to help [mothers] but they don’t focus on the
African-American community. With NAF, my son has a better chance of
knowing his black resources,” Hope Mosely said.



Mosely is not
the only one that has praised NAF’s unique pre and post natal care
methods. In 2001, the United States Bureau Of Primary Health Care
recognized the group as being one of four programs in the nation that
is making a difference in the lives of women and children.



From left to right: Tashika with Allen Collins, Hope Mosely, and Shari Smith.

While the
exclusive distinction is a testament to NAF’s hard work, Grant will not
let the program rest on its laurels nor forget its foundation. “When we
forget that it can be us on the other side of the desk, that is when we
cease to be an effective agent to combat health care disparities,”
Grant said.



The genuine and
heartfelt compassion and support is what resonates with the program’s
participants. “[I remember when] I first had a stillborn baby, I called
Belinda and she came though for me,” Collins said. “When I was pregnant
with my son, Allen and my car broke down, Belinda provided
transportation to my medical provider.”



According to
Grant, the program’s participants are well aware that the sincerity
expressed is authentic. “The participants sense our essence,” Grant
says, “They [participants] know if they hurt we hurt. It’s not only
their baby when it is a stillborn, it is our baby.”



When the baby is
a healthy birth, it is NAF’s baby as well. With every healthy baby
powered by NAF’s care, it is one step closer to lowering the high
infant mortality and premature birth rates. A healthy baby is also what
motivates and inspires the program’s enthusiastic leader. “It is all
worth it when you walk into that hospital and hold that precious
newborn baby in your arms. It is worth it when you know that baby has
made it through the obstacles. When that baby is born healthy, you know
that all of the labor, the paperwork, and the visits are all worth it.”