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WHEREAS, infant mortality, referring to the death of a baby before it reaches its first birthday, is especially prevalent in communities with large minority populations, high rates of unemployment and poverty, and limited access to safe housing and medical providers; and,
WHEREAS, Pennsylvania ranks 14th among all states with an overall infant mortality rate of 7.3 deaths out of 1,000 live births according to the U.S. Census Bureau, and the City of Pittsburgh's African American population experiences 4 infant deaths for every 1 Caucasian death according to the most recent Health Department Statistics; and,
WHEREAS, organizations such as Healthy Start, Inc., a federally funded program utilizing a strong, community-based coalition, are having a dramatic impact on decreasing the high rates of infant mortality, with Pennsylvania being home to seven of 104 Healthy Start, Inc. projects nationwide; and,
WHEREAS, in 1991 the City of Pittsburgh had one of the highest overall infant mortality rates in the country and was designated one of 15 Healthy Start, Inc. demonstration sites by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, and since implementation of the Pittsburgh/ Allegheny County Project in 1991 the infant mortality rate for all races has been reduced by almost 30 percent; and,
WHEREAS, groups across the nation are holding special events like baby parades, Bowling for Babies fundraisers, neighborhood health fairs, open houses, poster contests, un-birthday parties, clothesline projects, memorial gardens and other initiatives to raise awareness of infant mortality and prevention; and,
WHEREAS, the observance of “Infant Mortality Awareness Month” by groups such as Healthy Start, Inc. will help to increase national awareness of infant mortality and its contributing factors;
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NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby recognize September 2011 as “Infant Morality Awareness Month” in the City of Pittsburg...
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