Infant death rate in Bootheel is cause for concern; September declared Infant Mortality Awareness Month

SIKESTON - A child born in Missouri's Bootheel is less likely to survive its first year than a child born in Cuba, Romania, Tonga or Botswana. The rate of infant mortality in the Bootheel is startling.

To raise public awareness of the tragic frequency of infant death, Sikeston Mayor Steven Burch has declared September as Infant Mortality Awareness Month.

The National Healthy Start Association has spearheaded the effort to bring infant death rates to the forefront as the 11th annual proclamation has been issued by the city of Sikeston.

Infant death rates in six Bootheel counties represent some to the worst infant mortality rates in the country.

"The majority of infant deaths in the Bootheel -- about 50 percent in 2016 -- are attributable to unsafe sleep habits such as bed sharing and suffocation," said Robert Turner, project management coordinator for Bootheel Babies & Families. "Much of our outreach efforts over the past year have focused on safe sleep education for parents and caregivers, emphasizing the ABC'S of safe sleep: babies sleep best alone, on their back, in a crib or other safe sleep surface."

IMR is the number of infant deaths for every 1,000 live births and is considered by world health organizations to be a measure of the overall health of an area. The United Nations estimates world IMR to be 49.4 but the CIA World Factbook estimates world IMR to be the much lower rate of 34.1.

Over the past eight years, 135 babies have died in Dunklin, New Madrid, Mississippi, Pemiscot, Stoddard and Scott counties, where the IMR ranges as high as 11.7.

"When compared with Missouri's average IMR of 6.5, or the national rate of 5.9, this is truly devastating for the Bootheel," said Turner.

"Infant mortality has a long-lasting affect on not just the families suffering the loss, but schools, employers and communities as a whole. It's a key indicator of overall population health."

Bootheel Babies & Families is led by a Steering Committee made up of community stakeholders, partner organizations, medical professionals, educators, parents, caregivers and others committed to reducing the Bootheel's IMR.

The Steering Committee meets monthly to collaborate on outreach efforts. "Our approach to combatting infant mortality in the Bootheel has been unique. This isn't one non-profit or one community organization committed to a cause, it's multiple, along with individuals who are passionate about decreasing infant mortality, all collaborating to make a true difference," said Sarah Ezell, chair of the Bootheel Babies & Families steering Ccommittee.

"Everyone in the Bootheel is affected in some way by infant mortality, and we encourage anyone with an interest to join the steering committee -- from community leaders and caregivers to law enforcement to religious organizations," said Ezell. "And for those unable to attend steering committee meetings, there are many other outreach opportunities available. There's something everyone can do, and even small things make a big difference when it comes to saving babies' lives."