Tennessee Governor Bredesen Announces Grants To Improve Birth Outcomes In Tennessee

08/07/2007 -- Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen announced today the award of a $515,000 grant to the United Ways of Tennessee to assist in the state’s efforts to reduce infant mortality rates and improve birth outcomes throughout the state. Tennessee currently ranks 43rd among all states in the number of children who die before their first birthday, according to the recently released Annie E. Casey 2007 Kids Count report.

“By working hard and working together, we can identify and remove some of the health-related barriers that keep children from reaching their first birthdays,” Bredesen said.

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Tom Catron, director of the Governor’s Office of Children’s Care Coordination, which is administering the grants, said the United Ways of Tennessee has a proven track record and a well-known history of positive outcomes through collaborations in communities throughout Tennessee.

“We appreciate the opportunity to work with the Governor’s office on the Infant Mortality Initiative, and look forward to expanding the partnership between the Governor’s Office and United Ways in Tennessee,” said Eva Dillard, board chair of United Ways of Tennessee.

The current initiative will increase the use of Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA) members in communities with high infant death rates. VISTA members, along with other community leaders, will help educate women and assist them in receiving the appropriate health care in order to improve birth outcomes and reduce the number of babies whose premature death can be prevented.

The state has also issued grants to improve infrastructure for delivery of prenatal services, to educate communities about infant mortality and to help pregnant women quit smoking.

Infant mortality refers to the death of a live-born infant at any point before the first year of life. To improve Tennessee’s birth outcomes, Governor Bredesen last year appointed Catron’s office to work with agencies within and outside of state government to develop a coordinated infant mortality reduction approach.

Source: Tennessee Governor