Office of Minority Health to Launch a National Campaign in Detroit to Address Infant Mortality Among African Americans

"A healthy baby begins with you" seeks to heighten awareness of African-American babies dying from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, prematurity and low birth weight

WHO:

The Office of Minority Health (OMH), a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), brings to Detroit its educational campaign to raise awareness about the disproportionately high infant mortality rates that exist in the African American community.

Speakers at the event will include Detroit’s First Lady Carlita Kilpatrick; campaign spokesperson Tonya Lewis Lee, author, producer, and wife of filmmaker Spike Lee; Dr. Garth Graham, MD, MPH, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Minority Health; Director of the Detroit Department of Health and Wellness Promotion, Dr. Phyllis Meadows; and Detroit-area native Gregg A. Pane, M.D. MPA, Director of the D.C. Department of Health.

Detroit Pistons announcer and radio personality John Mason will serve as Master of Ceremony for the event.

All speakers will be available for interviews.

WHAT:

The campaign launch for “A Healthy Baby Begins with You,” is intended to attract attention to a problem that has existed for years. The goal is to combat the issue by educating mothers, fathers and the community about ways to reduce the risk of infant mortality.

WHY:

The objective of this campaign is to improve the health and wellbeing of African American women and infants so as to eliminate the disparities among racial and ethnic groups in infant mortality.

WHEN:

Thursday, September 13, 2007, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Press Conference: 11:00 am – 11:45 am.

WHERE:

Focus: HOPE
Conference Center
1400 Oakman Boulevard
Detroit, Michigan 48238

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