- Infant Health Strategic Plan: https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/health/program-areas/INFANT%20HEALTH%20STRATEGIC%20PLAN%202024-2028.pdf
- CFR Webpage: https://www.tn.gov/health/health-program-areas/fhw/child-fatality-review0.html
- FIMR Webpage: https://www.tn.gov/health/health-program-areas/fhw/infant-mortality-reduction.html
Key Takeaways
Tennessee's infant mortality rate of 6.6 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2022 consistently exceeds
the national average, with over half of all child deaths occurring before a child's first birthday.
The Tennessee Infant Health Strategic Plan (2024-2028) provides a comprehensive, data-driven
roadmap with seven key strategic areas: family planning, prenatal care, birth outcomes
infrastructure, safe sleep, preterm birth prevention, breastfeeding support, and smoking cessation.
Approximately 25% of infant deaths in Tennessee are sleep-related, making education and
implementation of the ABCs of safe sleep (Alone, on their Back, in a safe Crib) a critical
prevention strategy.
Early prenatal care is essential, with the goal to increase first-trimester access from 71.4% to
75% through programs like presumptive eligibility, TennCare enrollment, and the CHANT (Community
Health Access and Navigation in Tennessee) program.
New legislation (Senate Bill 1283) requires three syphilis screenings during pregnancy to combat
rising congenital syphilis rates, demonstrating the state's commitment to evidence-based
interventions.
Successful implementation of the plan requires collaborative efforts across state agencies,
healthcare providers, community organizations, and families, with all partners encouraged to think
creatively about their role in promoting infant health.
Supporting maternal health through comprehensive services—including mental health treatment,
substance use disorder support, smoking cessation programs, and breastfeeding resources—is
fundamental to improving infant outcomes.
Quotable Moments
"Our data shows us that in 2022, over half of all child deaths in Tennessee occurred before the
child's first birthday from 2017 to 2022, the Tennessee infant mortality rate or a number of
infants who died for every 1000 live births was consistently higher than the national rate with 6.6
deaths per 1000 live births in Tennessee in 2022."
"The primary focus of this work is to bring that number down, increasing the number of children
born in Tennessee that get to celebrate their first birthday and many more birthdays after."
"In Tennessee, about a quarter of all infant deaths are sleep related. The American Academy of
Pediatrics Safe Sleep recommendations play an important role in preventing these deaths and the
ABCs of safe
sleep."
"A leading cause of infant mortality in Tennessee is preterm birth. Any infant born earlier than 37
weeks gestation is considered preterm and is at higher risk for adverse outcomes, including death."
"These are real children and real families, and unfortunately, far too often real tragedies, we
need to all work together to improve infant outcomes for families, communities, and the future of
Tennessee." "Together we can help ensure that more babies born in Tennessee get to celebrate their
first birthday and many more beyond that."
Show Notes by Barevalue.
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No content or comments made in any TIPQC Healthy Mom Healthy Baby Podcast is intended to be comprehensive or medical advice. Neither healthcare providers nor patients should rely on TIPQC’s Podcasts in determining the best practices for any particular patient. Additionally, standards and practices in medicine change as new information and data become available and the individual medical professional should consult a variety of sources in making clinical decisions for individual patients. TIPQC undertakes no duty to update or revise any particular Podcast. It is the responsibility of the treating physician or health care professional, relying on independent experience and knowledge of the patient, to determine appropriate treatment.
