Cohen Introduces Bill to Reduce Infant Mortality Rates
[WASHINGTON, DC] – With Mother’s Day approaching on Sunday, May 11th, Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) today reintroduced legislation he first authored in 2009 to reduce tragically high rates of infant mortality. The Congressman’s Nationally Enhancing the Wellbeing of Babies through Outreach and Research Now (NEWBORN) Act would create a national pilot program in cities with high rates of infant mortality to promote pre-natal care, community outreach, and youth education to help improve health and save lives.
“Infant mortality rates are important indicators of the overall health of our citizens,” said Congressman Cohen. “Sadly, Memphis has one of the highest infant mortality rates in the nation—but high rates are a troubling issue that is not isolated to urban communities. They are seen throughout our country. We must do more to make sure women have the resources they need to deliver healthy babies, and my NEWBORN Act is a step in the right direction.”
The United States’ 2014 infant mortality rate is expected to total 6.17 deaths for every 1,000 live births. In 2012, 10.6 infants died for every per 1,000 live births in Shelby County, an increase over the 2011 rate of 9.6. This puts the U.S. and Memphis far behind developed nations like the United Kingdom (4.44 per 1,000), South Korea (3.93), France (3.31), and Japan (2.13). According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Tennessee’s 2010 infant mortality rate was 7.87, the third worst in the nation. A 2011 CDC study found that from 2005 to 2010, the infant mortality rate declined 12% nationwide, but Southern states still had some of the highest rates in 2010.
Statistics gathered by the pilot program created through this legislation will be compiled by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to help lead to a better understanding of infant mortality.