Tomorrow night, ABC’s news program 20/20 will profile the infant mortality rate in Memphis – which is the highest in the country. In 2006, more than 16-babies in every thousand died before their first birthday.
State health officials are trying to get out in front of the news piece, saying they recognize there’s a problem. Bob Duncan coordinates childcare statewide for the governor.
“This is a situation that rivals third world countries. You don’t expect it in this great country of ours, nor this great state or a great city like Memphis.”
The infant mortality rate in Memphis increased slightly from 2002 to 2006. Since then, the state has spent 17-million dollars on clinical care and education in urban areas. As a result, Duncan says he has reason to believe survival rates have improved. The numbers for 2007 still aren’t available. Duncan says the state’s strategy involves changing the culture of poverty that so often leads to high-risk pregnancies. He calls it a long-term approach.
Statewide, Tennessee ranks 45th in the country for infant mortality.
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