Managing Health of Populations Project- Infant Deaths in Alabama

Managing Health of Populations Project- Infant Deaths in Alabama

In public health, infant mortality is a significant concern, generating anxiety and distress worldwide. Alabama had 4,744 infant deaths from 2011 to 2020. The state had an 8.08 death rate per 1000 live births. Alabama has a higher infant death rate than the national average of 5.7 per 1000 live births, indicating the need for public health interventions. Infant mortality in the state is higher than the national average of 5.7 deaths per 1000 live births. This proposal includes a thorough historical analysis of the illness, a population needs assessment, and a cost-benefit analysis of a potential intervention program to reduce infant mortality in Alabama.

History of the Disease

Alabama has had a problem with high infant mortality rates for quite some time. The infant mortality rate in Alabama has varied over the last decade, with the highest rate reported in 2016 (9.03 deaths per 1000 people) and the lowest rate recorded in 2018 (6.94 deaths per 1000 people), according to data from CDC. From 2012-2015, mortality rates fell four years in a row, rose in 2016, and fell again in 2017 and 2018. The death rate rose again in 2019 but dropped in 2020 (6.99). These shifts highlight the need to regularly assess the efficacy of initiatives designed to lower infant mortality in Alabama.

Needs Assessment

Significant disparities exist in Alabama’s infant death rates according to age, race/ethnicity, and gender. Death rates peak between 28 and 364 days of age in infants. There are also significant racial inequalities, with African Americans experiencing far higher infant death rates than whites. Lastly, male newborns have a higher mortality rate than female infants when they are first born.

There are several factors contributing to infant mortality. To begin with, there is a correlation between a mother’s age and the likelihood of her child dying. For instance, the most considerable death rate is among those under 15. Second, the death rate is higher in populations with low average birth weight. Specifically, infants with a birth weight of less than or equal to 499 grams had the most special fatality rates in Alabama. Thirdly, there is a correlation between plurality and an increase in newborn mortality (Victora et al., 2020). Twin, triplet, or more births increase the risk over a single birth. When considering causes of infant mortality, a fourth factor is gestational age. Babies born at a gestational age of fewer than 20 weeks have the most significant death rates. As was previously indicated, African Americans in Alabama face an exceptionally high danger. Additional variables include perinatal medical problems, congenital abnormalities, and difficulties during pregnancy.

Morbidity and Mortality Data

African Americans have a mortality rate of 10.71 per 1,000, whereas whites only have a rate of 5.26 per 1,000. Furthermore, men have a higher mortality rate than women: 8.27 per 1,000 males against 5.66 per 1,000 females. The total infant mortality rate and the chance of death for a given baby rise with age. The infant mortality rate is 0.85 per 1000 live births for infants who have not yet completed their first hour of life. The infant mortality rate is 1.35 per 1000 live births. This age range represents a newborn’s first 1–23 hours. Additionally, there are 0.8 fatalities per 1000 live births for babies aged 1–6 days and 0.92 deaths per 1000 live births for infants aged 7–27 days. Finally, between 28 and 364 days of age, the infant mortality rate was recorded at 3.07.

Incidence and Prevalence Data

In Alabama, 8.08 infants die for every 1000 born, compared to the national average of 5.7 per 1000 births. The cumulative infant mortality rate in Alabama in 2020 is projected to be 6.99 per 1000 live births, higher than the U.S. average.

Suggested Intervention Program with Cost Analysis

Infant mortality in Alabama may be reduced with the help of the information gathered here. Unwanted births among adolescents may be reduced by public education programs emphasizing the value of contraception and family planning. Infants at increased risk of death, such as those born prematurely, with low birth weight, or in multiples, may benefit from healthcare providers’ policies that mandate individualized attention. Specialized training for healthcare workers, increased availability of necessary tools, and adopting evidence-based procedures are all examples of possible policy responses (NIH, 2021).

Depending on the scale of the intervention and the available funds, the total price tag for such a program may be relatively high. Recruiting and training expenses may be associated with specialized training for healthcare practitioners. Increasing people’s ease of access to medical tools may require financial commitments for equipment acquisition and upkeep. Research and evaluation are possible expenses associated with putting evidence-based procedures into action.

Justification and Explanation

The data on infant mortality in Alabama highlight the need for targeted public health interventions to reduce the disparity in mortality rates across age, ethnicity, and gender. Stakeholders may use the data as a guide to develop effective preventative initiatives. These measures may reduce infant mortality if maternal age, birth weight, multiple births, and advanced maternal age are all addressed (NIH, 2021). To ensure these interventions are successful and sustainable in lowering infant death rates in Alabama, they must be continuously monitored and evaluated.

Conclusion

In conclusion, data on Alabama’s infant death rates help direct policies and intervention initiatives to lower mortality rates. The infant mortality rate in Alabama is too high, and too many inequalities may be addressed by identifying risk factors and creating targeted preventative initiatives. This proposal details a feasible and long-term plan to lower infant death rates in the state via an intervention program.

 References

CDC.gov. (2022). Infant Mortality. https://www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/maternalinfanthealth/infantmortality.htm

CDC.gov. (n.d.). Linked Birth / Infant Death Records, 2007-2020 Results Deaths occurring through 2020. https://wonder.cdc.gov/controller/datarequest/D69;jsessionid=B37CE69B90F16FB02C04B026D71A

NIH. (2021). Are there ways to reduce the risk of infant mortality? Https://Www.nichd.nih.gov/. https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/infant-mortality/topicinfo/reduce-risk

Victora, C. G., Barros, A. J., Blumenberg, C., Costa, J. C., Vidaletti, L. P., Wehrmeister, F. C., & You, D. (2020). Association between ethnicity and under-5 mortality: data analysis from demographic surveys from 36 low-income and middle-income countries. The Lancet Global Health, 8(3), e352-e361.

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Using the information from assignments 1–3, complete and submit Part 1 of the first draft of the Key Assignment.

You are the Program Manager, and you are trying to decide on the best course of action to decrease the incidence and prevalence of the disease chosen in Week 1. You must decide from the data which population is most at-risk and decide on the most appropriate intervention to which you should allocate funds. To do this, you need to see the big picture. In this assignment, you will write a proposal to your Chief Executive Officer outlining the following:

 

History of the disease (show trends and data)
Needs assessment for your population:
Demographics
Social factors that may increase risk (poverty, health insurance, race/ethnicity, etc.)
Morbidity and mortality data
Incidence and prevalence data
Suggested intervention program with cost analysis
Justification and explanation for why this is the most appropriate intervention for the target population
Please submit your assignment.

For assistance with your assignment, please use your textbook and all course resources.