Program Launched to Lower Infant Mortality Rates in D.C.

A D.C. program has been launched in an effort to lower the infant mortality rate.

The national average for infant deaths is 6.05 out of 1,000 live births while D.C.’s average is 7.4.

Stronger2gether – One City 4 Healthier Babies is a D.C. initiative geared towards improving birth outcomes. The program was announced Monday at the Clinton Global Initiative as a partnership between Mayor Vincent C. Gray and Aegis Health Security.

“We have worked hard to increase access to care and improve the quality of services to infants and their parents throughout the District, and our infant-mortality rate has reached historic lows – but our work is not yet done,” Mayor Gray said.

The initiative works to reduce infant mortality through education, clinical practices, and creating a healthy community.

There are six key initiatives for Stronger2gether including:

• Safe sleep
• Create a buddy system
• End smoking
• Provide patient-engagement services
• Screen for addiction treatment and offer referrals
• Reduce pre-term births

The program aims to lower D.C.’s average infant mortality from 7.4 infant deaths out of 1,000 live birth to 5.0 by year 2020.

“The long-term benefits of this innovative commitment and partner collaboration will be of significant importance to our society: a healthier and more productive population, contributing to the growth of our country and our nation’s capital,” Managing Director of Aegis Health Security Remy Szykier said.

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