Infant mortality rates drop to their lowest level, governor says
CHRIS YOUNG
Gov. Timothy M. Kaine met with health and child care advocates and children at the Civil Rights Memorial on Capitol Square.
Gov. Timothy M. Kaine today announced that Virginia’s infant mortality rate has dipped to its lowest level ever.
Kaine highlighted a dramatic decrease from 7.7 deaths per 1,000 births in 2007 to 6.7 deaths per 1,000 in 2008. That represents an overall decrease of approximately 12 percent.
There was also a drop in the number of infant deaths among African Americans, which account for the highest mortality rate. In 2007, there were 15.5 deaths per 1,000 births; Last year there were 12.2 deaths per 1,000.
The governor credited the efforts of his staff and a series of “targeted strategies” that focused on access to prenatal care education.
“Today is the first bit of really good news we have” that the efforts are paying off, Kaine said.
Officials said additional funds for programs were given to 10 communities that experienced the largest number of infant death in 2006. Among them were Richmond, Henrico and Chesterfield.
“While we mark today’s announcement as a major milestone in the health care outcomes of our commonwealth, we all know that there is still work to be done,“ Kaine said during a news conference in front of the Civil Rights Memorial on Capitol Square. “We have not only set a new benchmark for Virginia’s overall infant mortality rate, we are seeing encouraging progress in closing the gap in racial health disparities.“
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Darn Yankee… since public health officials are employed by the government, they are, in effect, on Timmy’s staff.
I choose saving lives over balancing a budget every day of the year!
Kaine is good. He can save lives but can’t balance a budget.
Does anyone else find it ironic that a pro-choice politician chooses to pat himself on the back when the infant mortality rates decrease? This is just a case of using good news, unrelated to Tim Kaines governing, to cover an abysmal performance by the absentee Governor.
“The governor credited the efforts of his staff and a series of “targeted strategies” that focused on access to prenatal care education.“
How about next his staff focuses on following up with residential day care centers who are allowed to operate despite having multiple violations year after year? Prenatal care isn’t worth much if the baby dies later in the back of a van.
DarnYankee:
As an employee of the Virginia Department of Health, I feel I must point out the significance of pointing out the rate decrease of African American infant mortalities (I also happen to be black). When the study was done, of course we looked at Virginia’s infant mortality as a whole. This was then broken down further by race, age, etc. It was discovered that out of all the races of Virginians, the infant mortality rates for African Americans were the highest. And of course, all the rates are affected by lifestyle choices - which would include proper nutrition, overall health, finances, etc. It’s not a race thing in the way that you’re speaking. But different races, genders, cultures have health issues that may be higher than the others. It’s just a fact of life. Such as, the rate of high blood pressure in african american men.
And while we’re on the topic, what’s race got to do with it??? Why make the health of women and infants a racial issue? I thought that infant mortality was more related to lifestyle choices, not race.
“The governor credited the efforts of his staff…“ HIS STAFF??? The accomplishment here should be credited to the hard working Public Health Nurses and staff at the local departments of health. Are they on Timmy’s staff?
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