The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, the Center for Urban Population Health, and the City of Milwaukee Health Departmetn are joining forces this month to provide continued information related to the growing infant mortality issue in our community.
Here are the facts:
Each year in Milwaukee there are an average of 200 infant deaths and stillbirths. Many of these deaths are preventable. In 2008 the overall infant mortality rate for Milwaukee was 10.7 deaths per 1,000 live births, but there are stark disparities hidden within that number. The infant mortality rate among African-Americans was 13.9, compared to a non-Hispanic White rate of 4.8.
In the 2007 Big Cities Health Inventory, Milwaukee ranks 47th worst out of 53 large U.S. cities in infant mortality rates and ranks even more poorly in the disparity between blacks and whites2. The U.S. ranks 30th worst out of 31 industrialized nations in babies dying before their first birthday, behind Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan, and Israel3.
Over the past 10 years, there has been virtually no improvement in infant mortality rates in Milwaukee. Infant mortality is a public health crisis in Milwaukee.
Most Milwaukee infants die because of…
- Prematurity and low birth weight (leading cause of infant death)
- Unsafe sleep environment/Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
- Birth defects
Other factors, such as race and poverty, can play a role in infant mortality as well. The 2010 Milwaukee Health Report showed that babies born in a lower socioeconomic group had more than twice the infant mortality rate (12.7) than babies born in a higher socioeconomic group (5.5)4. Moreover, the Center for Urban Population Health has found that African-American babies born in higher socioeconomic groups still fare about the same or worse than white babies born in lower socioeconomic groups.
What can be done:
- Improve access to and quality of preconception, interconception, prenatal and women’s overall healthcare. Learn more.
- Identify and treat maternal infections or chronic health conditions
- Improve referral systems and services for alcohol or other substance abuse problems and mental health issues.
- Promote smoking cessation and a smoke-free home as a positive prenatal health behavior. Learn more.
- Model a safe sleeping environment: babies should sleep in a crib or Pack n' Play on their back without pillows, toys, bumper pads, or blankets. Learn more.
- Screen women for depression often and help them get the care they need to overcome this debilitating condition. Learn more.
