Fetal-Infant Mortality Review

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”Fetal-Infant Mortality Review” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:left|color:%23c0d32f” google_fonts=”font_family:Droid%20Serif%3Aregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal”][vc_custom_heading text=”Generate Health implemented the Fetal-Infant Mortality Review (FIMR) program to increase focus on reducing infant mortality and health disparities to improve the health of mothers, babies and families in the St. Louis region. ” font_container=”tag:h6|text_align:left|color:%23666566″ google_fonts=”font_family:Droid%20Serif%3Aregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal”][vc_separator][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Perhaps no event is more soul-wrenching than the loss of a baby, and this tragic event is happening at an alarming rate among families in St. Louis. 260 babies die before their first birthday each year in St. Louis. The largest number of infant deaths result from prematurity (being born too soon and too small).

St. Louis has significant racial disparities. African American babies are three times more likely to die than white babies, and four times more likely to die of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). These babies are often born to women who live in under-resourced areas – in fact, some zip codes in St. Louis have worse infant mortality rates than some developing counties.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”2285″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][vc_separator][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”How FIMR Works” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:left|color:%23c0d32f” google_fonts=”font_family:Droid%20Serif%3Aregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal”][vc_custom_heading text=”FIMR is an action-oriented community process that continually assess, monitors and works to improve service systems and community resources for the health and well-being of women, babies and families. Stillbirths and infant deaths are reviewed to gain a greater understanding of the risk factors and environmental context surrounding each death.
” font_container=”tag:h6|text_align:left|color:%23666566″ google_fonts=”font_family:Droid%20Serif%3Aregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal”][vc_separator][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Case summaries of fetal and infant deaths are compiled from information gathered from medical records, autopsy reports and death certificates, as well as maternal interviews when the mother agrees. All cases are de-identified (all names, dates, locations, etc. are removed) and then presented to the Case Review Team consisting of physicians, nurses, counselors, social workers, chaplains and first responders. It is at this level that gaps in the health care system are identified – such as gaps in birth outcomes, access to care, system collaboration, or service availability.

The team generates recommendations for actions to close those gaps. The recommendations are given to FLOURISH St. Louis (a collective impact initiative powered by Generate Health that aims to reduce the infant mortality rate in St. Louis), or another appropriate action-oriented initiative or group.

Generate Health receives vital record data (birth and death certificate data) from the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) Bureau of Vital Statistics. Funding for FIMR is provided by the Missouri Foundation for Health. The Foundation is a resource for the region, working with communities and nonprofits to generate and accelerate positive changes in health. As a catalyst for change, the Foundation improves the health of Missourians through a combination of partnership, knowledge and funding. Generate Health is dedicated to improving birth outcomes, promoting healthy families, and building healthy communities. The organization mobilizes the region through education and advocacy.[/vc_column_text][vc_separator][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1550091275454{margin-left: 15px !important;}”]

CONTACT

Marisha Frazier, MPH
Coordinator, Epidemiology
Generate Health STL
(314) 880-5711
mfrazier@generatehealthstl.org

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