Post by ashliy on Feb 25, 2022 9:54:07 GMT
Black infants in Hillsborough County 3x more likely to die before first birthday
TAMPA, Fla — A baby’s first year of life is filled with milestones and is the first building block for the rest of their lives. However, many Black children in Hillsborough County are not making it past their first year of life.
“Black infants in Hillsborough County are three times more likely to die in their first year of birth than white infants,” Cheri Wright-Jones, head of the Black Infant and Maternal Task Force of Hillsborough County said.
Wright-Jones has been working relentlessly with a group of doctors, researchers, policy leaders and families to understand the root causes of infant mortality among Black children in Hillsborough County, and how the disparity can be eliminated.
"The task force is critical and will be critical in moving forward programs and initiatives to reduce the infant Black infant mortality rate and disparity in Hillsborough County,” she said.
As part of a partnership between the Healthy Start Coalition and REACHUP, Inc., the group meets monthly to create an action plan for addressing infant mortality.
“Infant mortality gives you a pulse of how families and communities are faring. It’s critical that we know actively why it is and what it is we need to do to ensure that all of our families can thrive,” Wright-Jones said.
Right now, Hillsborough County is struggling. Not only are more Black children dying before their first birthday, but they are coming into the world with a host of health issues.
www.wtsp.com/article/news/health/black-infant-death-rates-hillsborough-county/67-e82c927e-58c4-4b69-8204-92210481ed16
This shouldn't be happening.
TAMPA, Fla — A baby’s first year of life is filled with milestones and is the first building block for the rest of their lives. However, many Black children in Hillsborough County are not making it past their first year of life.
“Black infants in Hillsborough County are three times more likely to die in their first year of birth than white infants,” Cheri Wright-Jones, head of the Black Infant and Maternal Task Force of Hillsborough County said.
Wright-Jones has been working relentlessly with a group of doctors, researchers, policy leaders and families to understand the root causes of infant mortality among Black children in Hillsborough County, and how the disparity can be eliminated.
"The task force is critical and will be critical in moving forward programs and initiatives to reduce the infant Black infant mortality rate and disparity in Hillsborough County,” she said.
As part of a partnership between the Healthy Start Coalition and REACHUP, Inc., the group meets monthly to create an action plan for addressing infant mortality.
“Infant mortality gives you a pulse of how families and communities are faring. It’s critical that we know actively why it is and what it is we need to do to ensure that all of our families can thrive,” Wright-Jones said.
Right now, Hillsborough County is struggling. Not only are more Black children dying before their first birthday, but they are coming into the world with a host of health issues.
www.wtsp.com/article/news/health/black-infant-death-rates-hillsborough-county/67-e82c927e-58c4-4b69-8204-92210481ed16
This shouldn't be happening.