The U.S. currently ranks 29th in the world in infant mortality. Of those most at risk from preterm delivery are children born to teen mothers, those born to parents belonging to a racial/ethnic minority group, and those lacking health insurance or access to regular medical care. Preterm delivery poses many risks including increased incidence of respiratory complications, cerebral palsy, developmental delay and death.

The Region VII Office of Minority Health encourages Tribal, community and faith-based organizations, community health centers and programs working with youth to apply for one of the competitive $500 contracts to support efforts to decrease infant mortality within the states of Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska and Missouri.

Funding should be directed towards education surrounding family planning (planning your pregnancy), encouragement of any individual at risk for pregnancy (anyone sexually active) to be tested for sexually transmitted diseases, and for women to begin a healthy living regime to include taking a daily multivitamin to ensure appropriate stores of folic acid (deficiencies of this vitamin will cause neural tube defects). To ensure that children reach their first birthday and beyond, education should include SIDS and its prevention, anger management (to prevent Shaken Baby Syndrome) and information about depression for new parents.

To apply for funds or learn more about the contracts, contact LCDR Tracy Branch, tracy.branch@hhs.gov, Phone: 816-426-3295.

The application deadline is July 20, 2009.

Visit the OMH website to request Healthy Baby materials and information or to tell us more about your activity: http://www.omhrc.gov/templates/browse.aspx?lvl=2&lvlID=117