The document announces a community conversation to gather input on Michigan's Infant Mortality Reduction Plan. Michigan has a high infant mortality rate that exceeds the national average, with approximately seven infants dying per 1000 live births. Governor Snyder has made reducing infant mortality a top priority. Dr. Renée Branch Canady, the Ingham County Health Officer, stated that high infant mortality rates indicate community-level issues that contribute to unhealthy pregnancies and premature infant deaths. The meeting will be held on November 7th from 7-8:30 pm at the Hannah Community Center to get public input to help implement the reduction plan.

1. Community Conversation
PLEASE COME AND SHARE YOUR IDEAS
with
Renée Branch Canady, PhD, MPA
Health Officer
Ingham County Health Department
Regarding:
The State of Michigan Infant Mortality Reduction Plan
Michigan has a public health crisis. For every 1000 live births in our state approximately
seven infants die before reaching their first birthday. Michigan’s infant mortality rate
consistently exceeds the national average. In response, Governor Snyder has made
reducing infant mortality a top priority in his plans to make Michigan a healthier state for
us all.
Dr. Canady, a champion for healthy communities, recently stated in the Lansing State
Journal: “Infant mortality is not someone else’s problem. High infant mortality rates
are indicative that our community is not well. If babies are dying prematurely and moms
are not having healthy pregnancies, there is something inherent in the structure, culture,
norms of the community contributing to that.”
We need your input to help move the Infant Mortality Reduction Plan into action.
Hannah Community Center, Banquet Room (1st floor)
819 Abbot Road, East Lansing
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
7:00 - 8:30 pm.
Sponsors: League of Women Voters of the Lansing Area, American Association
of University Women (AAUW), MSU Women’s Resource Center, MSU Safe Place,
Women’s Center of Greater Lansing, Inc.
Registration is FREE, but we would like to know if you will be joining us. Please contact
Linda White at 517-410-8540 or email: whiteli@msu.edu