Infant Mortality

Infant mortality can be defined as the number of deaths of babies from birth to one year old, divided by 1000 live births. In this blog I will be spotlighting the area which is ranked number one in infant mortality, which is Memphis, TN. In the 38127 zipcode, there is the highest rate of infant mortality in the United States! This is also the zipcode in which I live, and upon my moving to this area a few things caught my eye.

While riding down Thomas st. and Watkins st. I noticed a lot of thrift stores with a huge variety of baby items such as walkers, strollers, double strollers, cribs, etc. As a mother myself, I stopped to look for great bargains and noticed that a lot of these items were brand new or barely used. So I asked the different owners where these items were from, and the answer I got truly shocked me. The owners told me that in this area a lot of people’s children have died before their first year of birth. This discovery of mine led to my research on infant mortality.

Below I have listed some causes of infant mortality and tips for prevention, which I recieved from Nicole Gates (Community Voice Lay Health Advisor).

 

CAUSES of INFANT MORTALITY

• Lack of Prenatal Care
• Preterm labor
• Infection, Pneumonia, Dehydration
• SIDS

 

TIPS FOR PREVENTION

• If your pregnant, go to all your prenatal doctor visits, take your vitamins, and take care of your mind, body, and spirit.
• If your baby is experiencing any of the health problems listed above, consult their pediatrician or if it is severe, seek emergency help.
• SIDS is also at a rising rate, to prevent this always put your baby on their back to sleep. For more info on SIDS  prevention visit www.babytalk.com

 

 

Spike Lee at World Overcomers

 

 

Speaking to Father's about Infant Mortality Rate

 

Recently on May 23, 2009 film maker and director Spike Lee visited World Overcomers church in Memphis, TN, to promote awarness in Fathers on infant mortality. Before Lee’s arrival his wife Tonya Lewis Lee also visited Memphis, TN to also promote awarness and prevention about infant mortality. 

Children are a gift from God and should be cherished. Let’s all rise up and raise awarness on this issue, and also tell family, friends, colleagues, etc. about ways to prevent this infant mortality rate from rising.

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~ by Words4rmMe on June 11, 2009.