Thrive by IU Health

July 12, 2024

Celebrating more first birthdays in the SCR

IU Health Morgan

Celebrating more first birthdays in the SCR

Infant mortality—it’s a difficult and sensitive subject to talk about, especially with Indiana having the seventh highest Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) in the United States in 2022.

That isn’t a list where you want a high ranking, but individuals are working to better understand what leads to infant death and how to reduce the risk of future deaths.

“The leading causes of fetal and infant death in Indiana are perinatal risks—preterm birth, low birth weight, congenital anomalies and Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID),” says Emily Bock, MPA, Fetal-Infant Mortality Review (FIMR) Project Manager for Greene, Lawrence, Owen, Orange, Morgan, Brown and Monroe Counties. “And many factors for these areas of concern are preventable as long as the parent has the appropriate education and resources.”

SCR first birthdays

There are ways to help babies reach their first birthdays, including working toward a healthy lifestyle before pregnancy.

SCR first birthdays

“Maintaining a healthy weight and diet and discontinuing nicotine use are very important for your baby’s development,” says Bock. “Then, when you are pregnant, attend your prenatal care appointments and advocate for your healthcare needs and concerns.”

Then, once the baby arrives, be proactive:

  • Practice the ABCs of safe sleep (Baby should sleep Alone, on their Back, in a Crib)
  • Attend all pediatric appointments
  • Stay up to date with immunizations
  • Breastfeed if possible
  • Maintain a healthy living environment that is free of second- and third-hand smoke as well as vape exposure

A major issue is that not all Hoosiers have the support, resources and knowledge needed to take these steps.

Bock’s work with FIMR—as well as the IU Health Community Health Family Vitality Initiative and the Child Fatality Review for Greene, Lawrence, Owen, Brown and Morgan Counties—aims to close those gaps in these communities.

“We use findings from our research to take action that can prevent other infant deaths and improve the systems of care and resources for women, infants and families,” she explains.

SCR first birthdays

One area of concentration is their partnership with local communities to facilitate or support educational opportunities on a variety of topics, including:

  • Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)
  • Safe Sleep Practices
  • Human Trafficking
  • Death Scene Investigations

“The FIMR program also provides safe sleep resources such as pack-n-plays and safe sleep sacks to community members at no cost,” Bock says. “And we distribute Safe Sleep Diaper Bag Tags developed by the local Greene County Community Action Team.”

Another notable effort is FIMR’s partnership with the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department, Hope Resource Center and The Villages Healthy Families program to create the first Jail Home Visiting program in Indiana. Located in Lawrence County, this program provides inmates the following services at no cost to the county or the client:

  • Parenting education and support
  • Ultrasounds
  • Prenatal healthcare coordination during incarceration
  • STI testing and treatment

Through these actions and more, Bock and her team hope to help individuals overcome the wide array of local social, economic, public health, educational, environmental and safety issues that contribute to fetal and infant death rates.

Learn more about FIMR online.

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