Video: Little Lives Lost
Infant Mortality Awareness Month
This is National Infant Mortality Awareness Month and Central Hillsborough Healthy Start, a program of REACHUP, Inc., is one of 102 National Healthy Start partners executing outreach strategies and programs to draw attention to infant mortality in their communities. This year's theme is Healthy Families=Healthy Babies; and the local non-profit is anxious to educate Bay area mothers and families about infant mortality and prevention. REACHUP, Inc. has planned two events that will commemorate the lives of infants lost within Hillsborough County. This Wednesday's (September 2nd) Community Council meeting will feature the "clothesline project" in which baby items are decorated with themes centering on issues such as family health and wellness; prenatal care; old wives tales about baby care and male involvement, and are hanged using black clothespins. The "un-birthday party", which will follow on September 17th, will recognize the 1st birthdays that 153 infants never had a chance to celebrate in 2007. The September 17th event is co-sponsored by the Healthy Start Coalition of Hillsborough County. National Infant Mortality Awareness Month became official in September of 2006 and is observed throughout the country for rest of the month.
REACHUP, Inc., formerly known as Central Hillsborough Healthy Start, is a major advocate for equal healthcare for all throughout the Bay area. The non-profit, which currently houses Closing the Gap, Central Hillsborough Healthy Start and Community Capacity Building initiatives, teaches mothers, fathers, community members and other interested supporters about strategies to combat low birth weight (less than 5.5 pounds) and prematurity (less than 37 weeks). "It is extremely important that we raise the awareness about infant mortality and who it affects. There are several ways to prevent it and the first step is education," says Estrellita "Lo" Berry, President of REACHUP, Inc. Currently,REACHUP, Inc. primarily focuses on closing the gap in infant mortality rates within African American and Latino communities; increasing involvement and interest in health and wellness of families and communities and offering support and resources for mothers, infant and their families.
REACHUP, Inc., formerly known as Central Hillsborough Healthy Start, is a major advocate for equal healthcare for all throughout the Bay area. The non-profit, which currently houses Closing the Gap, Central Hillsborough Healthy Start and Community Capacity Building initiatives, teaches mothers, fathers, community members and other interested supporters about strategies to combat low birth weight (less than 5.5 pounds) and prematurity (less than 37 weeks). "It is extremely important that we raise the awareness about infant mortality and who it affects. There are several ways to prevent it and the first step is education," says Estrellita "Lo" Berry, President of REACHUP, Inc. Currently,REACHUP, Inc. primarily focuses on closing the gap in infant mortality rates within African American and Latino communities; increasing involvement and interest in health and wellness of families and communities and offering support and resources for mothers, infant and their families.