Community roundtable

(David Jenkins photo)

Valda Ford, CEO of the Center for Human Diversity speaks at the Bootheel Babies and Families community roundtable discussion on infant mortality on Thursday at the Miner Convention Center. Local community members were invited to share their thoughts, experiences and ideas in an effort to reduce the infant mortality rate in Southeast Missouri. Ford told those in attendance that Missouri has the 23rd highest infant mortality rate in the United States and six counties in the region (Dunklin, Mississippi, New Madrid, Pemiscot, Scott and Stoddard) have the highest infant mortality rate in the state.