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The Shelby County Office of Early Childhood and Youth coordinates the local activities of theInfant Mortality Reduction Initiative, a statewide project, aimed at reducing infant mortality and improving birth outcomes.
Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen and Shelby County Mayor A C Wharton, Jr.
serve as partners on this project in Memphis and Shelby County.
Infant Mortality Reduction Initiative activities include:
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Serve as liaison to the Governor's Office of Children's Care Coordination
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Conduct campaigns with grassroots organizations on public awareness
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Review and modify policies pertaining to infant mortality
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Collaborate with stakeholders on public awareness campaigns
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Oversee implementation of evidence-based state-funded programs
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Collect data and design program evaluation in partnership with local researchers
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Seek funding for programs
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Collect information on programs; serve as a clearinghouse
The Health Policy Division on Infant Mortality also coordinates activities of The MED's Quick Care Clinic and coordinates activities to help improve infant mortality rates in the County's ten (10) Health Loop Clinics.
Statistics
According to the Memphis and Shelby County Health Department the infant death rate for 2004, 2005 and 2006 is as follows:
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|
2004 |
2005 |
2006 |
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African American Babies |
17.41 |
15.50 |
19.0 |
|
White Babies |
06.12 |
05.50 |
06.9 |
|
Total Infant Death Rate |
12.84 |
11.50 |
13.8 |
Note: All rates are number of infant deaths per 1,000 live births for that year. For more information contact the Memphis and Shelby County Health Department at (901) 544-7600.
Remembrance Ceremony 2008
October 15, 2008 has been designated National Pregnancy & Infant Loss Awareness Day. Please join the Shelby County Infant Mortality Reduction Initiative and Community Partners for the Candlelight Remembrance Ceremony. This ceremony will be held at Baptist Memorial Hospital for Women, Pathway to Prayer Garden at 6225 Humphreys Blvd., Memphis, TN 38120. . The event starts at 6:00 p.m. Call (901) 526-1822, ext. 246 to learn more about this event.
Prematurity Awareness Day 2008
National Prematurity Awareness Day is November 12, 2008. The Shelby County Infant Mortality Reduction Initiative, along with partners March of Dimes and The Regional Medical Center will host this event. The location is TBA. For more information, please call 526-1822 ext. 246.
For more information about the Shelby County Infant Mortality Reduction Initiative, contact the Office of Early Childhood and Youth, located at the Urban Child Institute, 600 Jefferson Avenue, Suite 230, Memphis, TN 38105. Phone number is (901) 526-1822, ext. 246 and the fax number is (901) 576-8851.
Links of Interest and Associated Information
Centering Pregnancy
Community Voice
March of Dimes - Healthy Babies/Healthy Business (en espanol)
Medical Connection - includes information on Memphis Health Center and Christ Community Health Center
Tennessee Department of Health
The Urban Child Institute | 
