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Funding Won't Stop Black Infant Project

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By SHERRI ACKERMAN

The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 21, 2008

TAMPA - An initiative looking at why black babies are dying in Hillsborough County may run out of funding but not steam, organizers say.

Hillsborough is among eight Florida counties participating in a study that looks at the high rate of black infant deaths. In Hillsborough, black babies are 4.4 times more likely to die than white babies, according to 2005 health statistics.

A bill last summer earmarked $1 million toward research, but that funding ends June 30.

"We may not have any funding for next year," said Jane Murphy, executive director of the Healthy Start Coalition of Hillsborough County. "But that does not mean the work stops."

The coalition is a partner in a project titled Black Infant Health Practice Initiative, which looks at health statistics and reaches out into the community with meetings and focus groups.

The idea is to ask residents why they think black babies are dying, said project director Lo Berry. So far, the answers have depended on the age of participants, she said.

Women 60 and older pointed to environmental reasons such as substance abuse and promiscuity, but women 18 to 40 blamed socioeconomic issues such as lack of support, racism and poverty.

In 2005, the number of black babies dying within their first year of life was 22.7 per 1,000 live births.

Last year, that number dropped to 14.1, but it's too early to understand why, said Leisa Stanley, the coalition's associate executive director.

"It could be an anomaly," Stanley said, noting it will take three to four more years of research to confirm findings.

State Rep. Betty Reed and Sen. Arthenia Joyner, both Democrats from Tampa, are spearheading an effort for more funding next year.

"I take it personally," Reed said of black infant mortality.

Her mother died in childbirth, and her daughter had a premature baby.

Hillsborough had about 18,000 births last year, said Murphy, whose agency suffered its biggest state budget cut this year: $146,000.

"We're really fortunate, though," she said. "Nothing is a mortal wound."

For information about the Black Infant Mortality project, go to healthystartcoalition.org or call (813) 233-2800.

Reporter Sherri Ackerman can be reached at (813) 259-7144 or sackerman@tampatrib.com.

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