Hhs Awards $80.5 Million To Reduce Infant Mortality
Seventy-seven grants worth more than $80.5 million to improve health care for pregnant women and reduce higher-than-average infant mortality rates in targeted communities have been awarded as as part of the Healthy Start, Eliminating Disparities in Perinatal Health program of the U.S. Deparwtment of Health and Human Services (HHS).
Poor access to prenatal care for pregnant women often results in higher infant mortality rates among certain U.S. minority groups. The preliminary national infant mortality rate in 2003 was 6.9 per 1,000 live births; mortality rates that year were 14.1 for African-Americans, 5.9 for Hispanics, and 5.8 for whites.
In 2002, the infant mortality rate was 8.6 per 1,000 births for American Indians/Alaskan Natives and 4.8 for Asians or Pacific Islanders; 2002 is the most recent year that figures were available for those two groups.
Healthy Start helps break down barriers to care by running accessible, culturally competent, and in some communities, mobile clinics. Sites meet clients basic health as well as prenatal care needs and make referrals for depression or substance abuse screenings. Through Healthy Start, women learn to improve their overall health by not smoking or drinking before and after, not just during, pregnancy. Healthy Start also works within communities by providing resources, such as job employment services to assist families in finding employment.
Administered through Health Resources and Services Administrations Maternal and Child Health Bureau, the Healthy Start program began in 1991 and now reaches into 96 communities in 36 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.