New Jobs | Breastfeeding Support to Reduce Black Infant &?Maternal Mortality | How Climate Change Causes Increased Heat-Related Illness & Deaths

Enhancing Breastfeeding Support to Reduce Black Infant &?Maternal Mortality

Cherished Futures for Black Moms & Babies, a joint initiative of PHI’s Public Health Alliance of Southern California and partners, is leading the way in greater Los Angeles to address preventable barriers and disparities in breastfeeding support for black moms and their babies. Over the past year, Cherished Futures partnered with five participating hospitals to improve birthing experiences and outcomes for Black moms in several areas, including breastfeeding. Thanks to their joint efforts, there has been a striking increase in Black exclusive breastfeeding rates—from roughly 40% to 70%. Additionally, lactation consultations with Black patients in those hospitals?have risen from 30% to a complete 100%. Learn more →

Who Counts as an Expert? Rethinking Which Sources & Solutions Are Featured in News Coverage

Coverage of public health issues often underrepresents solutions and excludes?"authentic voices"—those whose stories are grounded in lived experiences. A new piece from PHI’s Berkeley Media Studies Group shares recent?research findings and?tips so advocates and reporters can prioritize authentic voices and solutions in coverage and integrate the two—helping to reposition community members as experts with the insight to solve problems.?One recommendation: Advocacy organizations can provide media advocacy training to their constituents, so they are prepared to be sources for reporters. See more →

PHI in the News: How Climate Change Causes Increased Heat-Related Illness & Deaths

The last eight years have been the hottest on record, and as the United States faces rising temperatures, heat-related illnesses and deaths are also on the rise. In the Los Angeles Times, PHI's Dr. Paul English, of Tracking California, discusses the connections between climate change, heat-related illness and death—and how communities can prepare and respond. “The problem, is we’re reaching the human limit of adapting to temperature." Read more in the Los Angeles Times →

Upcoming Events, Webinars & Trainings

Recovery Housing & Community-Based Participatory Research: Tuesday, September 19 | 11am-12pm PT. This webinar reviews the basics of community-based participatory research and how these principles can enhance research on recovery housing. Hosted by PHI's Alcohol Research Group as part of the Infrastructure for Studying Treatment & Addiction Recovery Residences (I-STARR) project. RSVP →

Strategies to Sustain Multi-Sector Collaborative Impact in Communities: Thursday, September 21 | 10:30am-12pm PT. Multi-sector collaboratives are transforming communities, but what does it take to sustain them? Join PHI’s Center for Health Leadership & Impact for a conversation with Dr. Karen Smith, former California State Public Health Officer and former Director of the California Department of Public Health, to discuss solutions including?integrated governance administration, data management, and financing that includes a resilience fund accountable to the community. Register →

Multipurpose Prevention Technologies: Diversifying Funding Streams for R&D: Monday, 25 September | 7:30am PT. Multipurpose prevention technologies (MPTs) are a suite of products that combine prevention of at least two sexual and reproductive health risks, including HIV, other STIs?and unintended pregnancy. In this webinar, PHI's CAMI?Health will discuss diverse potential funding and investment opportunities?to advance research and development in the MPT?field—including industry, investment funds, government and more.?Tune in →

Overdose Prevention 101: Tuesday, September 26 | 11:30am-12:30pm PT. Are you new to working in overdose prevention or interested in?supporting others who are new to this work? PHI’s National Overdose Prevention Network will discuss their new Overdose Prevention 101 Guide, an interactive resource featuring insights and examples of?how?to build a strong coalition, key evidence-based strategies and more. Join →

Substance Use Disorder Treatment for?Youth & Young Adults: Tuesday, September 26 | 9-10am PT. This webinar will cover the scope of opioid and other drug use in American adolescents and young adults. Presenters?will discuss?substance use disorder treatment and how it can differ for youth compared to adults. This webinar is part of the Medication for Addiction Treatment (MAT)?as the Standard of Care series, hosted by PHI's Bridge. Register here →

More from PHI

• Apply: CA Bridge Leadership Fellowship: PHI’s CA Bridge is a leader in advancing innovative overdose prevention efforts, supporting?clinical champions to become experts in hospital-based medication for addiction treatment (MAT) and empowering?them to lead MAT programs within their institutions. Apply today to the CA Bridge Leadership Fellowship, which?will offer up to 20 clinicians the opportunity to be mentored directly by CA Bridge directors in a small group setting.?Applications are due October 5th, 2023. Learn more and apply →
• Is it Safe to Work Out During Wildfire Smoke Events? In recent years, wildfire seasons have become increasingly long, so how does this affect the air quality and what are the risks and benefits of exercising outdoors? In the SF Chronicle, PHI’s Dr. Gina Solomon shares insights on?whether it’s safe to exercise outdoors during wildfire smoke events. One tip: If you’re set to go outdoors when air quality is poor in your area, be sure to take a N95?mask and check the Air Quality Index to find?a nearby area where the air quality is better. Read the full story →
• Study: To Improve Maternal Mortality, Address?Social & Economic Factors: Kern County, California has the highest maternal mortality in the state. An in-depth analysis?from PHI’s California Pregnancy-Associated Mortality Review found that pregnant women above the age of 35, those who are overweight or obese before pregnancy, those relying on public insurance, and those without a high school diploma are at a higher risk of maternal mortality. These findings underscore the importance of addressing social determinants of health in order to improve outcomes for expectant mothers. Learn more about the study →
• Healthy Places Index: Extreme Heat Edition: Some Californians are moving to different areas of the state in search of more affordable housing—but they’re also finding hotter temperatures. A recent article in the?LA Times uses the?Healthy Places Index: Extreme Heat Edition (HPI: EHE) to show how less expensive homes in the Central Valley will face almost double the amount of extreme heat days, compared to more expensive homes in the Bay Area. HPI: EHE is a tool created by PHI’s Public Health Alliance of Southern California and UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation. Read the article?→
• How Businesses & Products Impact Health: Through their products and services, businesses have a meaningful impact on their customers’ health. In the American Journal of Health Promotion,?Steve Downs, S.M., B.S., co-founder of PHI’s Building H and Sara Singer, MBA, PhD, explain how the product environment contributes to shaping health behaviors and influencing population health. Read the article →
• Shifting Narratives?from Blame to Change: Michael Cull and Tiffany Lindsey discuss the importance of the child welfare workforce and how child welfare agencies are reporting vacancies as high as 35-45 percent of their workforce. The authors highlight a study from PHI’s Berkeley Media Studies Group that underscores the importance of shifting the frame of news media coverage about the child welfare system. Read more in Hartford Courant →
• Supporting Aging People with Serious Illnesses: PHI’s Alameda County?Care Alliance (ACCA) partners with faith communities to connect families with trained care navigators who can support older adults with serious illnesses access food, transportation, home-based palliative care, advance care planning, and more. So far, more than 1,400 people have been served by ACCA’s Advanced Illness Care Program. “Our care navigators convey a sense of respect for participants, and that makes all of the difference in terms of reducing barriers,” said PHI’s Rev. Cynthia Carter-Perrilliat, MPA, executive director of ACCA. Read more →
• Sistema Pionero Que Filtra Las Toxinas De lLos Incendios Forestales: Los investigadores de Instituto de Salud Pública y la comunidad están dise?ando un sistema de filtro de aire para enfriadores de pantano para ayudar a las comunidades durante la temporada de incendios forestales. "Estamos tratando de equilibrar, básicamente asegurándonos de obtener un buen flujo de aire fresco en el hogar, y al mismo tiempo obteniendo la más posible filtración de partículas contaminantes," dicha Gina Solomon, MD, MPH, FRESSCA, Instituto de Salud Pública. Escuchar en Radio Bilingue →

We're Hiring

PHI is dedicated to promoting health, well-being and quality of life for people throughout California, across the nation and around the world. Join us:

• Health Equity and Inclusive Development Advisor: Washington, DC. This position with PHI's?Global Health Training, Advisory and Support Contract (GHTASC) lead?the inclusive development workstream, communicating across offices on the progress and deliverables of the Council as it relates to inclusive development; support offices as needed with cross-cutting DEIA initiatives, programs, and policies; and leverage best practices in DEIA and inclusive development to implement other internal and external activities.
• Grants and Contracts Specialist II: Remote, USA. The Grants and Contracts Specialist II is responsible for post-award management and monitoring for a complex assigned group of grants and contracts funded by federal, state, and other funding agencies with a heavy emphasis on transaction review, financial oversight, and providing support for budget development and management.
• IT Operations Technical Lead: Oakland, CA. The IT Operations Technical Lead focuses on enhancement, optimization, security, high availability, and maintenance of enterprise services and systems in a Virtualized/Cloud/Physical IT hybrid environment.
• Administrative Coordinator: ?Sacramento, CA (Hybrid).?This position will directly report to the Director of Fiscal and Administration. The Administrative Coordinator supports the Center for Wellness and Nutrition in a central hub role that receives, reviews, and processes out a variety of fiscal, program communications, human resources and technical assistance.
• Grants and Contracts Specialist III: Remote, USA.?The Grants and Contracts Specialist III is responsible for post-award management and monitoring for a highly complex assigned group of grants and contracts funded by federal, state and other funding agencies with a heavy emphasis on transaction review, financial oversight, and providing support for budget development and management.?

See all current opportunities →

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With your help, we can continue to invest in communities to build a stronger, more resilient public health system.?Donate today →

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