DHSS Press Release |
Date: May 27, 2008 DHSS-50-2008 |
| Vincent P. Meconi, Secretary Jay Lynch, Communications Director (302) 255-9037, Pager (302) 247-8523 Email: jay.lynch@state.de.us |
Contact: Reporters Phone: 302-744-4907 |
DELAWARE ON RIGHT TRACK IN INFANT MORTALITY FIGHT
The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) is very pleased to announce that Delaware is on the right track in its efforts to reduce infant mortality and eliminate the disparity in infant mortality rates among African Americans compared to Whites.
In its annual report to the Governor, The Birth of Change - Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies, the Delaware Healthy Mother and Infant Consortium (DHMIC) reported that programs and policies being implemented will enable Delaware to see, over time, a decrease in the number of children born premature or too small to survive the first year of life and to eliminate the disparity in poor birth outcomes between African Americans and Whites.
Infant mortality elimination programs are targeted to geographic areas of the state with the highest rates of infant mortality and where the disparity between African Americans and Whites is the most significant.
- Preconception care - the path to healthy infants is through healthy women;
- Reproductive health services;
- Assessment and interventions for psycho-social needs;
- Nutrition counseling;
- Screening for and referral to smoking cessation programs;
- Referral to alcohol and drug treatment programs; and
- Chronic disease counseling.
According to state statistics for the period 2001-2005 (the latest for which statistics are available) the overall infant death rate in Delaware stands at 9.2 [1] deaths per 1000 live births. At 17.1[2] deaths per 1000 live births, the rate for African Americans is over two times as high as the rate for Whites, which stands at 6.8 [3]. The Hispanic rate is 7.2 [4] deaths per 1000 live births.
In 2004, Governor Minner declared that infant mortality rates in Delaware were unacceptable and signed an Executive Order establishing the Infant Mortality Task Force (IMTF), which she charged with developing recommendations to reduce the rate of infant deaths in the state. The 2005 IMTF report presented the Governor with a set of twenty recommendations which would achieve the sort of systemic change needed to not only reduce infant deaths but also sustain that decrease over time.
The Governor also established the Delaware Healthy Mother and Infant Consortium (DHMIC), a group of health specialists, legislators, community health advocates and other stakeholders, led by neonatologist Dr. David Paul, and Dr. Jaki Gorum, retired dean of the College of Health and Public Policy at Delaware State University. For the past three years, DPH has led the implementation of recommendations of the IMTF with oversight of the DHMIC.
Of the report, Dr. Paul said, "It is with great pride that the Delaware Healthy Infant and Mother Consortium present this 2007 report to Governor Minner. The report highlights the progress we have made over the past year in working towards reducing infant mortality in Delaware. Important programs are now in place to study all infant deaths, better understand the causes of infant deaths, and keep mothers healthy in their preconception years. Through the collaborative efforts of the Division of Public Health, nurses, physicians and consumers we are moving in the right direction towards reducing the number of infant deaths in our state."
To date, over 5,000 women have been enrolled in preconception programs. The majority of these women are uninsured or underinsured, are part of an ethnic minority group, live in geographic areas with the highest number of infant deaths, have had previous problems delivering healthy newborns, or suffer from chronic diseases.
Dr. Jaime Rivera, Director of DPH, noted that DPH staff has conceptualized programs from the IMTF recommendations. "Reducing infant mortality is a long process, but our course is set and we are on track for a downward trend in our infant mortality rates and the eventual elimination of disparities in poor birth outcomes. "
To view The Birth of Change - Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies report, please go to
www.dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/dph/files/dhmicfy2007annualreport.pdf
Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware's citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations.
