Infant Mortality Coalition

The Washtenaw County Public Health Department has been given a $65,000 Michigan Department of Community Health grant to organize and convene a local Coalition for Infant Mortality Reduction. Eleven health departments across the state were given the funding to work to reduce infant mortality, paying particular attention to racial disparities. Infant mortality rates among African-Americans in Washtenaw County are three times higher than the rates for whites. Notes Ellen Clement, Public Health Officer, We were delighted to receive this grant. The funding provides an excellent opportunity to develop some key community strategies to address this important issue. 

Stakeholders in the coalition include providers from the local birthing hospitals; public health; Visiting Nurses; maternal and infant health service delivery professionals; educational institutions; community organizations interested in health disparities, prematurity and infant mortality; leaders in faith-based organizations; and women with personal experience with prematurity and infant mortality.

The Washtenaw County Coalition for Infant Mortality Reduction had its first meeting on June 22 at Washtenaw Community College. Additional meetingsof both the large group and smaller work groupsare planned. For more information about the coalition, please contact Ruth Kraut, the consultant facilitator/coordinator, krautr@ewashtenaw.org or 544-3068.