WASHINGTON, D.C.- The U.S Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently launched a documentary on the work of student peer educators seeking to raise awareness of disparities in infant mortality rates that affect African-American communities. The students participate in the HHS “A Healthy Baby Begins with You” campaign, which involves community, civic and public health organizations.  “Preparing for a healthy pregnancy is a lifelong process,” said OMH Assistant Deputy Director Dr. Garth Graham. “We want our peer educators to send that message to our youth. You can’t wait for pregnancy to start doing the right things. You need to start the day you are born.”
Health officials define the national infant mortality rate as the number of deaths per 1,000 live births. Within the African-American community the rate is 13 infant deaths per 1,000 live births compared to 6.5 infant deaths per 1,000 live births for non-Hispanic Whites.