Health

Racial disparities in infant deaths draw attention

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By ANJANA SCHROEDER
Capital News Service
LANSING – While the infant mortality rate in Michigan is one of the highest in the nation, experts say the disparity in racial and ethnic groups is equally alarming. “The clearest issue to us is the huge difference in the health disparity by racial and ethnic groups,” said Paulette Dunbar, the manager of the Maternal, Infant and Family Health section at the Department of Community Health. According to the department, for every 1,000 babies born in Michigan, approximately five Caucasian and seven Hispanic babies die, compared to 14 African American babies who die before their first birthday. The state average is 7.1. Dunbar said in the late 1990s, the department started to identify what groups of residents were contributing to the infant mortality rate more than others.

Health

State promotes breastfeeding for baby, mother health

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By ANJANA SCHROEDER
Capital News Service
LANSING – Cultural shifts are encouraging and teaching mothers the benefits of breastfeeding despite challenges in gathering community support, according to health experts. Julie Lothamer, a lactation consultant for the Michigan Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program, said, “Fifteen years ago moms didn’t want to hear about breastfeeding at all but, now at least they’re interested in getting information.”
There are health benefits for both baby and mother, experts say. Babies who are breastfed have a reduced risk of becoming overweight or obese and getting childhood leukemia, allergies, ear infections and types 1 and 2 diabetes. The program is part of the Department of Community Health. The breastfeeding coordinator for WIC, Kathy Daly-Koziel, said, “The primary voice for breastfeeding has been WIC, but we are building in terms of partnerships.”
One of WIC’s local partners is the Michigan Breastfeeding Network, where Lothamer is treasurer.