The health of our smallest residents can tell us a lot about the overall well-being of our communities.
And the rate at which babies – particularly babies of color – are dying during their first year of life, tells us that there’s much work to be done.
This quarter, we’re shining a spotlight on United Way BCKR’s Health focus area and our community goal of improving infant and family health while reducing racial and economic disparities within our infant mortality rates. Our target? Reducing regional infant mortality rates for all to 6.0 by 2025.
The numbers are sobering. While the overall infant mortality rate, or number of infant deaths per every 1,000 live births, is improving in our region, the racial and economic disparities present in those rates are widening. Babies of color are four times more likely than their white counterparts to die before their first birthday.
Poor birth outcomes not only threaten the survival of our children, but their future success, as well. Research shows that factors such as low birth weight and prematurity have the potential to greatly affect the trajectory of their lives. These factors can increase the likelihood of learning disabilities, lower job wages, poor health later in life and more.
The good news is that dynamic collaboration is happening regionally around infant health, and awareness is growing. Our partnerships with Cradle Kalamazoo, the Regional Health Alliance, Southwest Michigan Perinatal Quality Improvement Collaboration and others are crucial to this work.
“Since putting into place our new strategic goals, United Way has continued to grow valuable partnerships across the region that align with our aim to improve infant and family health,” said Alyssa Stewart, Vice President of Strategy and Engagement for United Way. “We’re excited by the momentum and progress we’ve seen, and as we embark on a new round of investments this spring, we look forward to seeing that impact continue.”
To measure and guide our progress, United Way has set two strategic priorities in place: Physical, Mental and Behavioral Health for Family and Infant; and Awareness, Education and Engagement. In 2017, United Way funded 26 programs at 17 agencies, investing $1,628,661 in strategic, innovative/interim and supportive grants.
Over the next three months, you’ll hear more about why Health is one of our four main focus areas, what kind of work we’re doing, and the impact we’re seeing. On our website, as well as our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages, you’ll find stories of impact, agency and corporate partner spotlights, volunteer profiles and more. You’ll also have the opportunity to join us for several Health-centered events.
GET INVOLVED
We encourage you to learn more, and challenge you to find a way to plug in. Here are a few ways to do so:
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- United Way Diaper Drive: We will collect diapers May 1-14 with a goal of reaching 75,000 to help the 1 in 3 families struggling to provide diapers for their young children. You can drop off diapers at any Kellogg Community Credit Union or OnStaff location, donate dollars HERE, purchase using our Amazon wish list or sign up to volunteer HERE.
- Pop Up Giving: Join us to make an instant impact. Our next event is set for June 12 at The Foundry. Learn more and register HERE.
- Impact Tours: Ride along and experience impact as we visit agencies in Kalamazoo on June 19 and Battle Creek on June 21. Learn more.