READ- Infant mortality accounts for all deaths of infants within the first year of life. To find information on infant mortality the APRN can utilize their local health departments, their state vital statistics office and the CDC. All death certificates must be recorded and kept for records and tracking purposes. The ethnic disparity in infant mortality is 2.5 times higher in African American babies than in Caucasian babies (Hill, 2022). The leading cause for deaths of infants prior to one year of life are preterm birth, low birth weight, SIDs and late or no prenatal care. Social determinants can directly affect quality of life, health, and infant mortality (Curley, 2020). Social determinants of health associated with infant mortality are lack of education, poverty, lack of prenatal care and maternal age less than 18 years old (Orischak,2021).
An APRN can participate in local efforts to reduce infant mortality rates on a population by educating women of childbearing age. This should include ages 12-39 today as we are seeing more adolescents and older women being pregnant. APRNs cannot forget to educate them simply because they do not fall into the prime age category for having children, these are some of our highest risk pregnancies. Education on early prenatal care, ethnic disparities and newborn screenings should be stressed. Having open women’s clinics for the community will allow those with transportation issues to get to care. Community involvement by the APRN can help with a larger more long-lasting effect. Learn your community and know the community’s needs. Meet them where they are. Taking an active role in their care through education can greatly reduce infant mortality.
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