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Voices Heard | Aging Out | ◊ Infant Mortality | Girls in Juvenile Justice System

Infant Mortality

Infant mortality measures the number of children who die before their first birthday and has been recognized as a measure of a community's health. Most industrialized nations' rate is between 4 and 5 per 1,000 children born while the infant mortality rate in the US is 6.78, Florida's rate is 7.2 and in Jacksonville, 10.9.

The infant mortality rate in Jacksonville varies by race. Jacksonville's black infant mortality rate of 16.2 is comparable to national rates in many developing countries. Infant mortality is the result of interrelated conditions of the mother. Among them are: --Socio-economic status --General health of mother (including substance abuse) --Education --Access to care (preconceptual, prenatal, postconceptual) --Family planning—spacing of pregnancies

The leading causes of death among infants are birth defects, pre-term delivery, low birth weight, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, and maternal complications during pregnancy.

A variety of approaches are being used to address these issues. According to recent research, the most comprehensive model locally is one being used by Northeast Florida's Healthy Start Coalition, which provides resources for preconception care (to improve health status of the mother), pre-natal care, post-natal care and inter-conception care. Healthy Start's approach is implemented in neighborhood-based centers and/or through outreach services via caseworkers.

In mid-2008, Jacksonville Community Council, Inc. will publish an Infant Mortality Study, which will recommend strategies to decrease infant mortality. The study includes an exploration of causes, local services providers, and national models for addressing the issue.

The Women's Giving Alliance current grants are:

  • $5,000 grant to support JCCI's Infant Mortality Study
  • $38,050 grant to NE Florida Healthy Start's Azalea Project

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