REPORT ON STATUS OF FETAL & INFANT DEATHS IN NORTHEAST FLORIDA TO BE RELEASED

Significant racial disparities still persist, sleep-related deaths increase

JACKSONVILLE, FLA. Despite overall historic progress, maternal and child health data shows more work needs to be done to ensure every baby has a healthy start. After reaching its lowest level in 20 years, the regional infant mortality rate has increased for the second year in a row, with black babies continuing to die at twice the rate of white babies and an increasing number of infants dying of sleep-related deaths.

Causes and factors contributing to the region’s infant mortality will be examined during the Annual Fetal and Infant Mortality Review (FIMR) Community Meeting on Thursday, October 16, 2014 from 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. at the Early Learning Coalition of Duval County, 8301 Cypress Plaza Drive, Jacksonville, FL. The meeting is hosted by the Northeast Florida Healthy Start Coalition and will inform local residents and leaders about the persistent issues plaguing our community.

The FIMR project will release the annual 2013-14 Project Impact report. The goal of the project, an initiative of the Healthy Start Coalition, is to reduce infant mortality by gathering and reviewing detailed information to gain a better understanding of fetal and infant deaths happening in our area. Project Impact, which began in 1995, is funded by the Florida Department of Health.

The Community Action Team, which implements FIMR’s recommendations, will also report on their progress.

Contact: Jennifer Gornto
Office: 904-723-5422 x111
E-mail: jgornto@nefhsc.org