MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Shelby County will begin extensive reviews of each baby death as part of an unprecedented effort to reduce its high rate of infant mortality.
The Fetal and Infant-Mortality Review program, funded with a $1.7 million state grant, will have multidisciplinary teams poring over records and interviewing parents to determine causes for each death. They'll then make recommendations about how local health officials can reduce infant mortality.
According to The Commercial Appeal, Shelby County has an infant-mortality rate higher than those in Jamaica and Uruguay, particularly in impoverished inner-city areas of Memphis.
Countywide, for each 1,000 babies born alive, about 13 die before their first birthday.
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Information from: The Commercial Appeal, http://www.commercialappeal.com
The Fetal and Infant-Mortality Review program, funded with a $1.7 million state grant, will have multidisciplinary teams poring over records and interviewing parents to determine causes for each death. They'll then make recommendations about how local health officials can reduce infant mortality.
According to The Commercial Appeal, Shelby County has an infant-mortality rate higher than those in Jamaica and Uruguay, particularly in impoverished inner-city areas of Memphis.
Countywide, for each 1,000 babies born alive, about 13 die before their first birthday.
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Information from: The Commercial Appeal, http://www.commercialappeal.com
