Reducing Infant Deaths is Focus of Events Across Tennessee
September is Infant Mortality Awareness Month
NASHVILLE – As part of the observance of National Infant Mortality Awareness Month, Governor Phil Bredesen, the Governor’s Office of Children’s Care Coordination, the City of Memphis and Shelby County will join together Monday, September 13 in Memphis to spotlight continued efforts to improve infant mortality rates in Tennessee. The event is one of many planned across the state during the month of September to remind Tennesseans of the importance of preconception and prenatal care in reducing the number of infant deaths in Tennessee.
“The Governor’s Office of Children’s Care Coordination, local officials and partnering organizations are putting in place the best and most successful programs from across the country to give babies the very best chance of reaching their first birthday,” said Bredesen. “While we’ve seen the number of infant deaths decline, we must continue to do everything we can to improve the health outcomes for this vulnerable population.”
“We’ve taken significant steps since 2006 to give every child born in Tennessee a better chance of reaching his or her first birthday, and we’re seeing positive results,” said Dr. Michael D. Warren, who serves as medical director for the Governor’s Office of Children’s Care Coordination. “We will continue to work with communities to help them build a foundation for programs that provide critical services, education and research to combat infant mortality in Tennessee.”
The Infant Mortality Staying the Course Summit on September 13 will recognize the work and accomplishments of original infant mortality summit pioneers and individuals involved in grassroots efforts. The program will include personal stories of program partners and participants. Governor Bredesen, Memphis Mayor AC Wharton and Shelby County Mayor Mark Luttrell will speak at the event.
Infant mortality is defined as the death of a child before his or her first birthday. Although the rate of infant deaths is declining in Tennessee, statistics show the need for continued efforts to improve birth outcomes. In 2010, Tennessee was ranked 44th in the nation for its infant mortality rate, which represents an improvement from a rank of 47th in 2009.
Following the first infant mortality summit held in April of 2006, Bredesen launched a statewide initiative to combat Tennessee’s crisis of infant mortality. To date, $8.7 million has been spent to improve women’s health and reduce infant mortality in Tennessee, spanning programs in health education, home visiting and clinical care for mothers and babies.
The Office of Children’s Care Coordination provides funding and works with local community programs to help determine the solutions best suited to address the issues unique to individual communities. Many of these programs across the state will be holding special events during Infant Mortality Awareness Month to highlight the infant mortality reduction initiatives in their communities.
A list of events by county is as follows:
Campbell County
September 9 – Mayor’s Proclamation Event
10:00 a.m. EDT
Indian Mountain Clinic – 550 Sunset Trail – Jellico
Contact: Tiffeney R. Schaad, Care Manager
423-784-5771 ext. 138
Davidson County
September 25 – First Birthday Party
1 p.m. – 5 p.m. CDT
Hadley Park
Contact: Dr. Kimberlee Wyche-Etheridge, Metro Nashville Department of Health
615-340-5614
Hamilton County
September 1 - New Moms Support Group
4 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. EDT
La Paz – 1402 Bailey Avenue – Chattanooga
Contact: Stacey Johnson, La Paz Chattanooga
423-624-8414
September 2 - Happy Birthday BLUES Baby Party
10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. EDT
Erlanger Hospital – POB Dining Room
Contact: Rhonda Tapp
423-535-7048
Rhonda.tapp@bcbst.com
September 13 – In the Womb Prenatal Care
11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. EDT
La Paz – 1402 Bailey Avenue – Chattanooga
Contact: Stacey Johnson, La Paz Chattanooga
423-624-8414
September 15 - New Moms Support Group
4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. EDT
La Paz – 1402 Bailey Avenue – Chattanooga
Contact: Stacey Johnson, La Paz Chattanooga
423-624-8414
September 27 – Car Seat Safety
11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. EDT
La Paz – 1402 Bailey Avenue – Chattanooga
Contact: Stacey Johnson, La Paz Chattanooga
423-624-8414
September 29 - New Moms Support Group
4 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. EDT
La Paz – 1402 Bailey Avenue – Chattanooga
Contact: Stacey Johnson, La Paz Chattanooga
423-624-8414
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Shelby County
September 2 - All Babies Count Press Conference and Community Crusade
Press Conference - 11 a.m. CDT
Community Crusade – 12 p.m. CDT
Gaston Community Center (Corner of Third and Walker)
Contact: Antionette Holman, CLG Coordinator
901-385-4230
September 11 – GE Patterson 5K Walk for Life
8 a.m. CDT
Shelby Farms
Contact: Glen Brown
Jgbrown777@bellsouth.net
September 16 – Happy Birthday BLUES Party
11 a.m. – 2 p.m. CDT
World Overcomers Outreach Ministries – 6655 Winchester Road – Memphis
Contact: Antionette Holman, CLG Coordinator
901-385-4230
September 18 - Douglass Baby Shower BLUES Project Health Fair
9 a.m. – 3 p.m. CDT
Greater Imani Church and Christian Center – 3034 Austin Peay Highway - Memphis
Contact: Antionette Holman, CLG Coordinator
901-385-4230
September 24 – All Babies Count Conference on Infant Mortality
8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. CDT
The Urban Child Institute – 600 Jefferson Street - Memphis
Contact: Antionette Holman, CLG Coordinator
901-385-4230
September 25 – Impact Baptist Church Health Fair
1 p.m. – 5 p.m. CDT
3759 North Watkins Road - Memphis
Contact: Antionette Holman, CLG Coordinator
901-385-4230
September 29 – Infant Mortality Force “Paint the Town” Purple One Year Anniversary Reception
5:30 p.m. – 7 p.m. CDT
Crescent Club
Contact: Antionette Holman, CLG Coordinator
901-385-4230
National Infant Mortality Awareness Month is sponsored by the National Healthy Start Association. For more information, including a toolkit to help you plan an event for the health observance, visit www.healthystartassoc.org.
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