September is National Infant Mortality Awareness Month

Between 2000 and 2011, more than 700 babies in Genesee County died before their first birthday, the Genesee County Health Department reports.

September is National Infant Mortality Awareness Month and the Genesee County Health Department is promoting this month to increase awareness of the high rate of infant deaths in the community, and to encourage healthy behaviors that can prevent infant deaths.

In Genesee County, more than half of the infant deaths are due to prematurity (born more than three weeks before due date), the health department said in a news release. The second and third most common causes of infant deaths are birth defects and accidental suffocation in unsafe sleep environments.

Unsafe sleep deaths are preventable. Safe sleep experts say babies should be placed on their backs (the only safe sleep position) on a firm mattress, alone in a crib of their own.

The Genesee County Healthy Start program provides valuable services that help to reduce risk of premature births and infant mortality. Healthy Start staff (Hurley, Genesys and Catholic Charities) provide supportive homecare services to African American women and infants.

Healthier pregnancies, spacing births, and early pre-natal care can reduce premature birth, low birth weight and infant mortality. For information on Infant Mortality Awareness Month or programs for moms and babies in Genesee County, visit www.gchd.us/babies.