Congressman Cohen Introduces Resolution Supporting Efforts to Reduce Infant Mortality

“This is just a first step,” said Congressman Cohen. “It is my hope that this resolution brings attention to one of our greatest national shames: infant mortality. We live in the wealthiest, most powerful nation in the world and we’ve pioneered countless life-saving medical breakthroughs over the last century, so it’s simply unconscionable that our infant mortality rate could be as high as it is. I’ve contacted First Lady Michelle Obama about this issue and I hope that the new administration makes this devastating problem a major priority in their health care plan.”

Congressman Cohen continued, “As one of the leading healthcare communities in the world, the infant morality rates and ranking of the U.S. are deplorable. It is time that we finally focus our attention on the babies who die every day in our country before their first birthday, due in large part to the lack of pre-natal care, limited outreach to young mothers, and racial disparities in healthcare.”

According to 2007 estimates, the infant mortality rate in the United States is 6.37 deaths per 1,000 live births. In the 9th District of Tennessee which includes most of Memphis, the infant mortality rate is the highest of any city in the country, about three times higher than the national rate. In fact, the rate of infant mortality in the 38108 ZIP code ranked worse than countries such as Vietnam, Iran, and El Salvador with 31 deaths per 1000 live births.

“My experience with this issue has led me to believe that prenatal care is the key to alleviating this problem in the U.S.,” added Congressman Cohen. “Going forward, we must provide better services and education to our nation’s young women because they need to be aware of the causes of infant deaths. We also need to help them realize that, during pregnancy, every action they take has an effect on their child. Within our current health care system, too many young women are unable to get the proper care and assistance they need during pregnancy. We in Congress, with the help of the Obama Administration, can help change that and the time is now.”

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Marilyn Dillihay, Press Secretary, 202-225-3265
Charlie Gerber, Communications Assistant, 202-225-3265