The pain and sorrow associated with the sudden and unexpected death of a baby is not experienced evenly across populations.
A new study from the University of Minnesota School of Public Health reviewed the deaths of approximately 3,400 infants who die in the United States every year.
The study concluded that disparities based on race, ethnicity and geography play a role in these deaths, which are “notably higher” among Indigenous and Black infants compared with white infants.
The study also found that some of the nation’s highest unexpected death rates in infants occur in rural areas.
“This should not be happening. We need to educate the community at the grassroots level,” said Darcea Handy, a nurse and the host of the Life After Loss podcast on the ShelettaMaeksMeLaugh.com podcasting platform.
Handy has personal experience with infant death; her own newborn son died shortly after birth. That heartbreaking experience propelled her to become a peer counselor; she now offers various support measures to other parents who are also dealing with unexpected maternal, pregnancy and infant loss.
“We are looking at people, not numbers,” she said.
Handy believes more equitable access to prenatal care and education can contribute to healthy babies.
“Some in the medical community have some preconceived notions and prejudices against some neighborhoods and people with different incomes,” Handy said. “Some families in underserved areas don’t know about programs that help you when you’re pregnant. We have to let them know these services are available.”
The U of M study reviewed death investigations following an infant death and found that investigations are not standardized across demographic groups and geographic regions. These incomplete death investigations and lack of consistent collection of accurate data can keep investigators from reaching a comprehensive understanding of the circumstances surrounding each death.
The research found that structural racism plays a role in these incidents being thoroughly investigated.
“We need people coming into our neighborhoods who don’t bring their prejudices into their profession,” Handy said. “If they don’t care about the people, those services might not be delivered.”