Miner to host infant mortality conference today

MINER, Mo. -- Although it's decreased over the past several years, the number of infant deaths in the Bootheel remains higher than any other region in the state.

For this reason and others, the National Infant Mortality Awareness Campaign Mini-Conference will take place from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. today at the Miner Convention Center, the Sikeston Standard Democrat reported.

"This is the fourth year we're bringing awareness about the infant mortality rate," said Cynthia Dean, chief executive officer of Missouri Bootheel Regional Consortium Inc. in Sikeston.

Missouri Bootheel Healthy Start, a community-based program that responds to the medical, social, cultural and social service needs of women and their infants, is funded through the Maternal and Child Health Bureau of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

"We are passionate about our jobs," Dean said. "We work for the community and work to put our clients in contact with the right referral services. We want to help and empower them."

Since it was established in 1997, there has been a 16 to 23 percent reduction in the number of infant deaths within the five counties MBHS serves, which are Scott, New Madrid, Mississippi, Dunklin and Pemiscot counties, Dean said.

Despite the decline, more education and support in the Bootheel is needed.

In 2008 -- the most recent year of solid data -- the Bootheel's infant mortality rate was 12 per every 1,000 live births compared to the state's rate of 7.2. By comparison, St. Louis' rate was 7.4 and Kansas City's was 7.8, said Emily Wilson, MBRC data evaluation coordinator.

Wilson noted in 2008, there were a total of 26 infant deaths in the Bootheel. Precursors include: low birth weight, inadequate prenatal care, preterm births and smoking and/or substance abuse during pregnancy.

According to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services' information for community assessment database, the Bootheel's low birth weight (less than 5.5 pounds) rate is 12.3 per 100 compared to Missouri's rate of 8.1 per 100. The very low birth weight (less than 3.3 pounds at birth) rate for the Bootheel was 1.2 per 100 and 1.4 per 100 for Missouri.

For pregnant women in the Bootheel, the inadequate prenatal care rate was 17.8 per 100 births compared to the state's rate of 11.9 per 100.

Twenty-nine of every 100 pregnant women in the Bootheel smoked during their pregnancy while the statewide rate was 17.6 per 100 pregnant women. The Bootheel rate for preterm labor (less than 37 weeks gestation) was 17 per 100 with the Missouri rate being 12.7 per 100.

Larisa Segers, case manager for MBRC, said very few women she approaches about the program are resistant, and most are open to learning more.

Dean said most clients lack pregnancy and child care education and need support for identifying resources and someone to talk to. They work closely with their case mangers to establish goals and plans to improve the overall health and well being of their pregnancy, children and families.

Roshaunda Parham, who does community outreach for MBRC, said she's experienced firsthand the difference the Missouri Bootheel Healthy Start Program makes. The mother of three became a client of the program about two years ago.

"My case manager gave me some information and was very supportive. ... My baby died from SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome), and she talked to me about safe sleeping and crib installation," Parham said.

Now Parham is helping other women in the same way.

Angela Sims also was a client before becoming a case manager for MBRC three years ago,

"I have two sons and they're 13 years a part and things changed in the time between the two. They taught me so many things I had no clue about such as car seat safety and folic acid intake," Sims said.

The program also offers other health education topics and helps put women in touch with other local resources.

Many of MBRC clients have gone on to college and succeeded while others do experience setbacks, Dean said.

"We really encourage education, regardless of someone's external risk factors, we help them understand they can move past their circumstances and go forward," Dean said.

Featured speaker at Thursday's event will be domestic violence survivor and traditional Navajo recording artist, Radmilla Cody of Flagstaff, Ariz. Keynote speakers will be Margaret Boyko, director of program services of the Missouri Chapter of the March of Dimes in St. Louis; and Jean Craig, Ph.D, director of Kansas City Healthy Start.

Also on Thursday, MBRC will launch the Southeast Missouri Maternal Child and Family Health Coalition. The MCFHC will be a collaborative with local and regional providers to address preconception and prenatal care; maternal, mental health and wellness.

The conference is free, continental breakfast and lunch will be provided. For more information or to preregister, contact MBRC at 573-471-9400 or toll free at 1-888-317-4949.