"Infant mortality is the most sensitive index we possess of social welfare." ~ Julia Lathrop, Children's Bureau, 1913

December 17, 2009: Lane County Prevention Program Clarifies Mortality Rates (as published in the Register-Guard 12/17/09) [click here]

About Healthy Babies, Healthy Communities

Problem

Lane County has a disturbingly high rate of fetal-infant mortality. The overall rate is higher than the nation; higher than the state; and higher than comparable counties and metropolitan areas.

Goal

To reduce Lane County’s rate of fetal-infant mortality and increase infant health in our communities by assuring community driven examination of significant social, economic, cultural, safety, healthy system factors; by planning and participating in community-based interventions and policies that address these factors; and by evaluating the progress and effectiveness of selected interventions.

Lane County Healthy Babies, Healthy Communities Initiative

The Lane County Healthy Babies, Healthy Communities Initiative represents a wide range of community partners interested in reducing fetal-infant mortality and increasing the health of babies in our community. This group has identified strategies for investigating the causes, contributing factors and for prevention and intervention activities. Although some strategies can be implemented now, others will not be implemented until revenue sources have been acquired.

Strategies

Two best practice strategies are supported by community members:

• Fetal - Infant Mortality Review (FIMR) -- a process used to determine community-level factors associated with individual cases of fetal and infant death
• Home-visiting/case management 

Five additional priority areas have also been selected:

• Preconception and reproductive health planning, education, screening
• Parental drug use
• Parental alcohol use
• Safe sleep practices
• Perinatal mood disorders

To get involved in the Lane County Healthy Babies, Healthy Communities Initiative or for more information contact:
Sandy Moses, MS | 541.682.3650

[back to top]