National Infant Mortality Awareness Month

a Huge Success!

September 2007 was the first observance of National Infant Mortality Awareness Month. Congressman Michael Burgess (R-26th TX) sponsored a resolution in the U.S. House of Representatives to dedicate September to this important issue. The National Healthy Start Association jumped onto the bandwagon by developing an Infant Mortality Awareness Month toolkit, which was been widely disseminated to member projects. The toolkit and campaign were underwritten by the Annie E. Casey Foundation.

What happened around the country?
Here are some of the activities we heard about.

National Healthy Start Association’s NIMAM Press Release:

To access the NIMAM Press Release, click here.

Cleveland MomsFirst, Ohio:

Click here for an audio clip of their Life Campaign Commercial, aired during September in recognition of Infant Mortality Awareness Month.

Baltimore City Healthy Start, Inc., MD:

BCHSI’s Infant Mortality Awareness Month Activities

Article: Program reaches it's goal of more healthy babies from Baltimore Sun.

IMAM Press Conference Baltimore City Healthy Start held IMAM press conference on September 20th; Health Commissioner and Mayor’s Representative in Attendance.
See the Op Ed article provided to Baltimore Sun.

Baltimore Sun Editorial; click here for the 09/30/07 editorial: Healthier Babies.

NIMAM Recognized in National FIMR’s Listserve:

Click here to access FIMAR's Listserve information on NIMAM.

Worcester Healthy Start, MA:

Article from Telegram.com

Proclamation from Worcester Mayor Lukes

Congressman McGovern (D-3rd MA) supports HR 3267; click here for information.

Healthy Babies Program, Wichita, KS:

Wichita’s Board of County Commissioners honors Healthy Babies Program for IMAM; click here to see Proclamation and response from Project Director Susan Wilson.

Click here to see the video of the Proclamation ceremony!

Strong Beginnings, Grand Rapids, MI:

Peggy Vander Meulen, Project Director, met with Congressman Vern Ehlers (R-3rd MI). Click here for a summary of the meeting.

Visiting Nurse Services, Des Moines, IA:

Click here to see letter sent by Project Directory Darby Taylor to Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA).

Fort Worth Healthy Start, TX:

Click here for an article from the Star-Telegram on the Fort Worth, TX Stroller-Thon

Dallas Healthy Start, TX:

Parkland Hospital Newsroom article on Dallas Healthy Start; click here for article.

Westside Healthy Start, Chicago, IL:

Maternal and Child Health Coalition Plans Infant Mortality Summit for October. Click here for information.

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If your project had an editorial, received a proclamation or conducted special activities during
National Infant Mortality Awareness Month, be sure to let the Association know.
Send your reports to kduncan@nationalhealthystart.org.