Infant Mortality Action Group

Background

Wisconsin is known to have a persistently high level of racial disparities in healthcare outcomes. Even more disconcerting is the fact that the state has the highest rate of disparities in birth outcomes in the nation. Healthcare experts in Southeastern Wisconsin are partnering to address this growing challenge. The Center for Urban Population Health is bringing together a group multi-disciplinary of researchers and community experts to conduct research addressing infant mortality. The group has just begun meeting to identify common interests, share expertise, identify additional members, and develop an action plan.

Goal

To reduce local infant mortality rates by focusing on innovative, state of the art research and to develop more effective strategies focusing on determinants of health or health disparities.

Objectives

The group has identified preliminary objectives:

1. Generate new knowledge, interventions, and/or programming that may be specific to Southeastern Wisconsin and/or leading edge work in the country.
2. Support the translation of evidence and programs into the Southeastern Wisconsin area and help evaluate effectiveness of the programs.
3. Provide a forum and infrastructure for researchers and others to work together to develop and conduct research in infant mortality.
4. Provide local mentorship opportunities and research support for new investigators in this area.
5. Support individual investigators in submitting proposals to address infant mortality.

Accomplishments to Date

• First meeting held on July 30, 2007.
• Joint press release with UW-Milwaukee and Milwaukee Health Department highlighting Infant Mortality Awareness Month in September 2007.
• As a result, WISN interviewed Ron A. Cisler to talk about the disparities in infant mortality.

Current Action Group Members

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

• Teresa Johnson, Ph.D., R.N.
• Mary Madsen, Ph.D., R.N., FAAMR
• Jennifer Runquist, Ph.D., R.N.

Center for Urban Population Health

• Dennis Baumgardner, M.D.
• Jessica Bergstrom, M.P.H.
• Ron Cisler, Ph.D
• David Frazer, M.P.H.
• Loren Galvao, M.D., M.P.H.
• Trina Salm Ward, M.S.W., C.C.R.C.

City of Milwaukee Health Department

• Geof Swain, M.D., M.P.H.
• Karen Michalski, M.S.W.

For more information contact

Trina Salm Ward

salmward@wisc.edu