While the overall increase in infant mortality rates may not be significant, the disparity within the Black community is nothing short of alarming, write Monique LeNoir and Chanda Nicole Holsey of the African American Wellness Project.
Black infants are experiencing the highest rates of infant mortality, with nearly 11 deaths per 1,000 births – more than double the rate for White infants. This news serves as a stark reminder that systemic health disparities continue to plague our community, and it is time for us to act.
As we grapple with the CDC’s latest findings, there are critical actions that we, as a community, must take to confront these disparities head-on:
Raise awareness, Provide Access to Reliable Information, Advocate for Change, Support Community Initiatives, Seek Prenatal and Postnatal Care, Educate Healthcare Providers, and practice Radical Self-Care.
See: “Addressing the CDC’s Alarming Infant Mortality Report: A Call to Action for the African-American Community” on the Post News Group website (December 8, 2023)
