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Division of Minority Health and Disparity Elimination

Racial and Ethnic Minority Tennesseans and Infant Mortality

Infant mortality, or the death of babies before their first birthday, is an emotional issue for families and communities. The health of a state is often reflected in the number of babies who die before they can reach a first birthday. Infant mortality is a problem that stems from many issues and cannot be fixed by targeting one health program. Instead, mothers and communities must provide health lives before and after a baby is born.

Featured Facts

Facts about infant mortality in Tennessee:
  • In 2005 (based on 2000-2002 data) Tennessee’s infant mortality rate of 8.8 per 1,000 live births was ranked 3rd highest in the nation. The Tennessee infant mortality rate during this period was 31% higher than the national average.i
  •  The 2004 mortality rate for Tennessee black infants (17.4 per 1,000 live births) was 2.7 times higher than for white infants (6.4 per 1,000 live births).ii

Factors contributing to infant mortality:

  • Adolescent pregnancy
  • Use of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs
  • Mothers with less than a high school education
  • Maternal infections during pregnancy
  • Preterm deliveries
  • Low birth weight babies
  • Poverty

Activities to prevent and reduce infant mortality:

  • Early and regular prenatal care
  • Planned pregnancies
  • Strong, positive family support
  • Regular exercise
  • Avoiding alcohol and drugs
  • Placing babies on their backs to sleep

i. United Health Foundation. America’s Health Rankings - 2005 Edition: A Call to Action for People and Their Communities, (Source: 2000-2002 mortality data, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). www.americashealthrankings.org

ii. Tennessee Department of Health, Office of Policy, Planning and Assessment, Division of Health Statistics

Services For Infant Mortality Prevention and Education

 The Tennessee Department of Health is committed to the prevention of and education about infant mortality. The Department has a number of services that work with communities and families to support the prevention and effective treatment of diabetes. Below is a list and description of services offered through the Department or your local county health department.

Early Periodic Screening Diagnosis and Treatment (EPSDT): Local health departments in all 95 counties provide well-child EPSDT exams for infants from birth to age one. These exams provide an important opportunity to identify health problems early, assure that children are properly immunized, and provide parents with information on infant growth, development and care. FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL YOUR LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT.

Healthy Start: Healthy Start is an intensive home visiting program for first-time parents with the goal of health promotion and child abuse prevention.

Eligible families may begin the program during the third trimester of pregnancy through the child’s first four months of life. Families may remain in the program until the child is five years of age. For more information, call (615) 741-7353.

Genetics and Newborn Screening: The Genetics and Newborn Screening program provides access to genetic screening, diagnostic testing and counseling services for individuals and families who have or are at risk for genetic disorders. The newborn screening program screens all babies born in Tennessee for certain genetic conditions and then refers those identified for further diagnosis and treatment. For more information, call (615) 741-7353.

Women, Infants and Children (WIC):  Food, nutrition counseling and access to health services are provided to low income women, infants and children under the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, popularly known as WIC. WIC provides federal grants to states for supplemental foods, health care referrals and nutrition education for low income pregnant, breastfeeding and non-breastfeeding postpartum women, and to infants and children who are found to be at nutritional risk. For more information, call your local health department or call 1-800-DIAL-WIC (1-800-342-5942).

Family Planning Program: The family planning program provides education and counseling, medical examinations, laboratory tests and contraceptive supplies for any person of reproductive age. Services are available in all 95 counties at 129 clinic sites which include all local health departments, Planned Parenthood clinics, some student health clinics and primary care clinics. For more information, call your local health department or call (615) 741-7353.

Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Substance Abuse Treatment: The Bureau of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Services has information and a statewide referral network of providers available for persons who have alcohol or drug problems. The services are available regardless of ability to pay. For more information, call (615) 741-1921