On Saturday, September 21, in recognition of Infant Mortality Awareness Month and the important role of families and communities unifying to promote healthier birth outcomes, the Healthy Start Coalition of Orange County, Commissioner Samuel B. Ings, District 6, City of Orlando, and the Florida Department of Health in Orange County will host the 5th Annual Stroll for Life and Family Fun Day. This event is a health and education celebration to help bring awareness to infant mortality. This free family event will take commence with a 1 mile memorial walk at 8:30am at theWashington Shores Shopping Plaza in Orlando and will culminate at the Dr. James R. Smith Center 1723 Bruton Blvd. in Orlando by 2:00pm.
While infant mortality rates are declining overall across the nation and in our county, rates still remain high in pockets of Orange County, particularly among African American residents. In 2011, black infants had a mortality rate of 11.6 deaths per 1,000 live births- more than double the national average for all races.
Infant deaths can be attributed to many causes, including prematurity, low-birth weight and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Of particular concern is the racial disparity that exists in birth outcomes: Black infants die 2-3 times more than White infants. We don’t always know why our babies die, but we do understand a mother’s health before and during pregnancy, early access to quality prenatal care, and the baby’s health and safety affect their outcomes.
Stroll for Life events are coordinated by the Healthy Start Coalition’s “Save Our Babies” program and the Infant Mortality Task Force which is comprised of local agencies, including the Coalition and the Florida Department of Health in Orange County. The common goals of this Task Force are to reduce infant mortality and prematurity/low birth weight and to improve the health and developmental outcomes of all infants.
