The infant mortality rate in the Hispanic community in Orange County has increased by nearly 15 percent since 2008, the Health Department said in a statement Wednesday.
The Health Department also said that, although the infant mortality rate increased among Hispanics, overall there was a drop in Orange County in recent years. The Black population, particularly, showed the biggest improvement, with infant mortality rates dropping by 29 percent since 2008 and 25 percent since 1990.
The Health Department attributed these gains to several initiatives such as, Critical Connections, which provides preventive dental care to pregnant women.
In 2008, the Orange County Infant Mortality Task Force was established to address increasing infant mortality rates among Black babies.
The Task Force will host its annual Stroll for Life event on September 22nd.
