Project Description Narrative:
In comparison to other developed nations, the United States has a high rate of infant mortality. In the city of Milwaukee, the overall infant mortality rate is 9.5 per 1,000 live births. However, there is a stark difference in infant mortality rates by race, where the infant mortaltiy rate among white infants is 4.7 per 1,000 live births, yet the percentage for African-Americans increases to a staggering 14.8 per 1,000 live births. Driving these deaths are high rates of preterm birth and low birth weight.
This project addresses the need for a community-based prenatal education and enrichment model that will provide peer-supported methods of supplemental care for high-risk pregnant women in urban Milwaukee.
Community partners: Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare, Wheaton Franciscan–All Saints Family Care Center, Wheaton Franciscan–St. Joseph Foundation, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc. Kappa Beta Zeta Chapter
Additional MCW academic partners:Jeff Morzinski, PhD, Family and Community Medicine; Nadia Ahmad, Family and Community Medicine; Michele Leininger, Family and Community Medicine; Sandra Olson, MS, Family and Community Medicine; Christina Eldredge, MD, MS, Family and Community Medicine