As the state marks the lowest recorded infant mortality rate in its history, attendees of the 8th annual Maternal Infant Health Summit gathered recently to share ideas on how to continue efforts to improve the health of Michigan moms and babies. The event, hosted by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), convened a multidisciplinary group of state and national partners.
“We are proud of the improvements we are making and will continue to make when it comes to the health of moms and babies,” said Elizabeth Hertel, MDHHS director. “The dedication of Governor Whitmer and the legislature, quality work conducted by partners across the state and collaboration with Michigan families and communities are key to our current and future success.”
Infant mortality is defined as the death of a live born infant prior to their first birthday; the top three causes are prematurity and low birth weight, congenital anomalies and accidents and adverse outcomes.
In 2023, 607 infants under the age of one died and the state’s infant mortality rate declined to 6.1 infant deaths per 1,000 live births. While there is still work to be done, this is a decrease from 2022’s, 650 deaths and 6.3 deaths per 1,000 live births. Deaths among Black infants fell to 11.9 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2023, also a record low. This is a reduction from 2022’s 14.1 deaths per 1,000 births, however, this rate is still nearly three times the rate of white infant deaths.
MDHHS continues to focus efforts on keeping moms and babies healthy through the Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies initiative that was launched in 2021 to improve health outcomes and reduce disparities. It includes the expansion of postpartum Medicaid coverage to one year after birth and programs designed to assist families through pregnancy, birth and beyond, such as doula services and the Centering Pregnancy model of care.
Doulas provide non-clinical physical, emotional and educational support services to pregnant individuals during prenatal, labor and delivery and postpartum periods. Doula services have been shown to positively impact social determinants of health, support birth equity and decrease existing health and racial disparities.
There are currently more than 700 doulas on the MDHHS Doula Registry; nearly 500 of which are Medicaid-enrolled providers.
CenteringPregnancy is a model of care that integrates routine prenatal care and extra education about health, pregnancy and parenting within a group setting. It brings together moms due at the same time for discussion and interactive activities designed to address health topics including nutrition, common discomforts, stress management, labor and delivery, breastfeeding and infant care.
“We are proud of the improvements we are making and will continue to make when it comes to the health of moms and babies,” said Elizabeth Hertel, MDHHS director. “The dedication of Governor Whitmer and the legislature, quality work conducted by partners across the state and collaboration with Michigan families and communities are key to our current and future success.”
Infant mortality is defined as the death of a live born infant prior to their first birthday; the top three causes are prematurity and low birth weight, congenital anomalies and accidents and adverse outcomes.
In 2023, 607 infants under the age of one died and the state’s infant mortality rate declined to 6.1 infant deaths per 1,000 live births. While there is still work to be done, this is a decrease from 2022’s, 650 deaths and 6.3 deaths per 1,000 live births. Deaths among Black infants fell to 11.9 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2023, also a record low. This is a reduction from 2022’s 14.1 deaths per 1,000 births, however, this rate is still nearly three times the rate of white infant deaths.
MDHHS continues to focus efforts on keeping moms and babies healthy through the Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies initiative that was launched in 2021 to improve health outcomes and reduce disparities. It includes the expansion of postpartum Medicaid coverage to one year after birth and programs designed to assist families through pregnancy, birth and beyond, such as doula services and the Centering Pregnancy model of care.
Doulas provide non-clinical physical, emotional and educational support services to pregnant individuals during prenatal, labor and delivery and postpartum periods. Doula services have been shown to positively impact social determinants of health, support birth equity and decrease existing health and racial disparities.
There are currently more than 700 doulas on the MDHHS Doula Registry; nearly 500 of which are Medicaid-enrolled providers.
CenteringPregnancy is a model of care that integrates routine prenatal care and extra education about health, pregnancy and parenting within a group setting. It brings together moms due at the same time for discussion and interactive activities designed to address health topics including nutrition, common discomforts, stress management, labor and delivery, breastfeeding and infant care.
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