Uniting to Reduce Infant Mortality The Silent Epidemic Uniting to Reduce Infant Mortality

Infant Mortality in Virginia

“Perhaps the most glaring health failure is our infant mortality rate -Governor Timothy M. Kaine

Significance of Infant Mortality World View

Infant Mortality: The Problem World Rank

Infant Mortality: The Problem World Rank

Infant Mortality: The Problem – Virginia Only ranks within the top 30 states for protecting the lives of infants Infant mortality rate ranked 18th highest in the nation by the CDC in 2006 Infant mortality rate twice as high for African-Americans

Infant Mortality: Comparative Deaths

Infant Mortality: Top Causes 2007 1. Prematurity 2. Birth defects 3. SIDS 4. Complications of pregnancy 5-7. Miscellaneous conditions 8. Accidents 9. Respiratory distress

Infant Deaths: By Age 2007

Infant Mortality: 5 Year Death Rates by Race/Ethnicity

Infant Mortality: Parental Education by Race/Ethnicity

Infant Mortality: By Geography Infant Deaths 2003-05 – VA residents by number of live births

Just the Tip of the Iceberg 839 Deaths Thousands of Children, Families and Communities

Prematurity: The Rising Trend

Prematurity and Cesarean Births

Prematurity and Late Preterm Births 35 Weeks 39 Weeks

Prematurity and SIDS A premature infant less than 37 weeks sleeping prone is 85 times more likely to die of SIDS A premature infant lying on its side is 40 times more likely to die of SIDS

Prematurity: SIDS Rate and Sleep Position Rates of SIDS Deaths Babies Sleeping on their Backs

Changing Attitudes Engage Healthcare Providers Pregnant women and their families Community Groups Health Insurers

Interventions that May Reduce Prematurity/Infant Deaths Accessible prenatal care Promote breastfeeding Education about preterm labor signs and symptoms Decrease smoking and exposure to second-hand smoke

Interventions That May Reduce Prematurity/Infant Deaths Assess for substance use and intervene Assess for domestic violence and intervene Reduce major stress levels Refer to community services

Breastfeeding: The Benefits Lower rates of SIDS Fewer ear infections Fewer asthma/allergy cases Less obesity Less diabetes Fewer childhood leukemia cases Fewer infections in premature babies

Promote Breastfeeding Educate mothers before birth Provide support from family, friends, healthcare workers, employers, society Provide safe places to nurse and pump

Prematurity and Smoking Exposure to smoking is associated with 20% of all low birth weight babies 8% of preterm births SIDS

Prematurity: Smoking and Pregnancy Successful treatment of tobacco dependence 20% reduction in low-birth-weight babies 17% decrease in preterm births

Infant Mortality: Causes Prematurity Birth Defects SIDS

Infant Mortality: Solutions Good prenatal nutrition Maternal health behaviors/effects Planned pregnancy with early, quality prenatal care Prevention of preterm & low birth weight babies

Infant Mortality: Solutions Infant sleep position and environment Family/caretaker violence & safe home Home visiting nurses

“Saving Babies” Initiative Save babies from dying in their first year of life Focus on results Targeting 10 localities with the highest number of infant deaths Collaborating with other stakeholders

“Saving Babies” Outcomes Determining women at high risk Increasing awareness of signs/symptoms of premature labor Promoting safe sleep education

“Saving Babies” Outcomes Improving coordination/ efforts of private and public providers Enhancing outcomes through folic acid promotion, insurance coverage and transportation to prenatal care

Infant Mortality Reduction: Raise Awareness Communicate the facts Provide intervention tips Support the Commissioner’s Infant Mortality Workgroup

Infant Mortality Reduction: Spread the Word Control Weight Don’t Smoke Don’t Drink Take Vitamins with Folic Acid Visit Your Dentist

Infant Mortality Reduction: Practice Safe Sleep Habits Baby should… Sleep alone Sleep on his/her back Sleep in a crib without soft toys, bumper pads or quilts

Uniting to Reduce Infant Mortality The Silent Epidemic Uniting to Reduce Infant Mortality