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FLINT, August 1, 2012 (AP): A Michigan Department of Community
Health’s infant mortality reduction plan released Wednesday
calls for implementing a regional perinatal system and expanding
home-visiting programs, among other recommendations.
State health officials, who introduced the plan during an event
at Hurley Medical Center in Flint, say the issue of infant
mortality in Michigan is a ``public health crisis.''
Five out of every 1,000 white babies and seven out of every
1,000 Latino infants nationwide die before their first
birthdays. Among Michigan's black population, the infant
mortality rate is 14 out of every 1,000 babies born.
``Michigan's infant mortality rate is still higher than the
national average, and alarming disparities continue to exist
between various racial and ethnic groups, particularly between
African-Americans and Caucasians,'' MDCH director Olga Dazzo
said in a statement. ``We want this plan to help us keep our
babies alive so that we may watch them grow into healthy,
productive adults.''
The Infant Mortality Reduction Plan lists eight ``strategies and
goals'' for 2012-15.
In addition to the plans for a regional perinatal system and
expanding home-visiting programs, recommendations include
promoting the adoption of policies to eliminate medically
unnecessary deliveries before 39 weeks' gestation, promoting
reproductive planning for all childbearing-aged adults as a
component of their primary care and promoting access to
reproductive health services as needed.
MDCH spokeswoman Angela Minicuci said the department has
received some state funding to help pursue the recommendations,
but also plans to pursue both grant and foundation
opportunities.
The state health department's plan also suggests promoting safer
infant sleeping practices to prevent suffocation and expanding
home-visiting programs to support vulnerable women and infants.
Wednesday's event was held at Hurley Medical Center due to the
facility's participation in a number of projects that are a part
of the infant mortality reduction plan.
For example, Hurley has a Women, Infants and Children program on
site at the hospital to allow new mothers to enroll in WIC
services.
Online: http://www.michigan.gov/mdch
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