For Release: September 5, 2019 - Jamie Dukes, Office of Communications (405) 271-5601
Oklahoma continues to take positive steps to reduce infant deaths. Through the work of many dedicated partners and individuals, the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) announced the state’s infant mortality rate (IMR) has decreased by 17% since 2007, equating to 183 more babies able to spend their first birthday with their families.
“As we experience progress in eight of nine primary measures, including breastfeeding rates, infant safe sleep practices and prenatal care, we are encouraged by the reduction in infant mortality,” said Joyce Marshall, director of the OSDH Maternal and Child Health Service. “We acknowledge that there is still work to be done to achieve the national IMR of 5.9.”
This accomplishment is the result of a number of programs including The Preparing for a Lifetime, It’s Everyone’s Responsibility statewide initiative, which includes numerous strategies designed to improve birth outcomes for Oklahoma’s mothers and babies. Key messages of the initiative are:
Improvements in priorities, including a dramatic decrease in the rate of teen births and a significant reduction in smoking rates among pregnant women also has contributed to fewer infant deaths.
During September, which is Infant Mortality Awareness Month, the Preparing for a Lifetime initiative will celebrate its 10th anniversary by moving forward together and remaining committed to the health and wellness of Oklahoma’s moms, babies and families. To learn more, visit http://iio.health.ok.gov.
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Last Modified on
Jun 03, 2022