KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — A coalition of city groups have been working for decades to bring down Kalamazoo’s high infant mortality rate, and some believe that it’s falling short.
Kamel Razvi with the YWCA’s Cradle Program says Kalamazoo has an effort in place that is now a national model, but it has not yet hit its target to close the gap between white and black babies dying.
She says they have set up an expanded, community based review panel that investigates each death, set up programs to help women get the pre- and post-natal care they need, and last fall, established a fund to pay for it. So far, they’ve handed out $25,000 dollars.
She also asked for the City’s help to address problems it has already made a priority.
Kamel says as long as there is poverty and inadequate housing and the stress caused by those issues, there will be babies who don’t make it to their first birthday.
(reporting from John McNeill)
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