Tennessee Department of Health reminds everyone that September is Infant Mortality Awareness Month

Nashville, TN – The number of children dying from sleep related deaths in Tennessee has dropped from 130 in 2012 to 117 in 2013. The infant mortality rate in 2013 was down to 6.8 per 1,000 births, the lowest infant mortality rate ever in Tennessee.

“We are very encouraged that fewer babies are dying in Tennessee from sleep related causes and believe our safe sleep campaign encouraging parents and caregivers to put babies to sleep using the ABCs of Safe Sleep is an important reason why.” said TDH Commissioner John Dreyzehner, MD, MPH. “But until we get to zero, there is still more to do to save these wonderful lives in Tennessee.”

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2dF1RWnzq3Q[/youtube] [Read more]

Infant Mortality declining in Tennessee

September is Infant Mortality Awareness Month

Nashville, TN – State public health officials are encouraged by recent statistics indicating a decline in infant mortality rates in Tennessee and acknowledge there is still much work to be done. Infant mortality is defined as the death of a child before his or her first birthday. During National Infant Mortality Awareness Month this September, residents of the state should learn what they can do to support mothers of newborns and help babies reach this critical milestone.

“We are definitely making progress as a state,” said Michael Warren, MD, TDOH’s director of Maternal and Child Health. “There were 63 fewer infant deaths in 2009 as compared to 2005. That equates to three additional classrooms of kindergarteners who will have the chance to grow into healthy, productive Tennesseans.” [Read more]