September is National Infant Mortality Awareness Month. Infant mortality is defined as the death of a baby before their first birthday. I'll admit, that's not usually a topic discussed during your family reunion or when you're at brunch with your girlfriends. But maybe it should be. As an employee for a non-profit organization, The Mother's Cove, in Central Ohio, I work with young moms every day. Our primary goal is to keep moms and babies safe and healthy. Unfortunately, infant mortality is a health crisis and many communities across the country are struggling. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 2024 sadly more than 200,000 infants died in the United States. And those statistics are even higher when it comes to Black babies, who die at more than two times the rate of non-Black babies.
The five leading causes of infant mortality are:
*Birth Defects
*Preterm Birth
*Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
*Unintended Injuries
*Maternal Pregnancy Complications
This article isn't meant to scare you or leave you without hope. Because we can turn these statistics around if we all join this infant mortality fight! Here's suggestions from the CDC on ways to help:
Before and During Pregnancy: Manage chronic health issues; Eat a healthy diet; Get early prenatal care.
Follow Safe Practices: Follow the ABCs of safe sleep for your baby - Alone, On their Back, In a Crib; Remove toys, soft bedding and pillows to prevent suffocation.
Avoid Harmful Substances: Stop smoking; Avoid alcohol, marijuana or illicit drugs during pregnancy.
Community and Public Health Action: Support family planning and help women access contraception to plan pregnancies safely; Build local partnerships by encouraging community groups to work with health clinics and share safe-baby resources.
Get involved and work with organizations in your community so we can produce "Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies, Healthy Outcomes"!
