New County Position created to fight Infant Mortality

infant-mortality

              The Daviess County Commissioners on Tuesday approved adding a new part-time position at the Health Department whose focus will be infant mortality.

            County Health Nurse Kathy Sullender reported Daviess County’s infant mortality rate remains extremely high.  8 infants have died in the County since the first of the year.  Sullender also reported that 20 infants had died before birth.  Sullender said that the infant mortality rate is due to expectant mothers not having resources or access to prenatal care.  The new position would identify expecting mother’s who are at risk and give them counseling and assistance.  Sullender said the State Board of Health and Daviess Community Hospital have been very helpful in initiating the program, which will be unique in the state.  $12,000 will be used on the salary for the position.  The county may seek more funding from the state later but that will take some time.  The state will be looking at Daviess County’s new program to learn from and encourage implementation in other counties.