'Too little known' on early birth

[IdaBriggs]

4. One of the interesting stats is that while MORTALITY rates for

pre-term babies have actually improved (we now have children in the 24/25 week range surviving), the MORBIDITY rates have gone through the roof. (Obviously, in our project we think we know why.)

We know the risk factors - mother's age, nutritional status, financial status (access to prenatal care/good nutrition), drug/alcohol/tobacco use, etc. but despite this, the mortality numbers have remained pretty static over the decade. And comparison data varies - Detroit, MI rates are in the upper teens, but the same population in Atlanta, GA is 3%.

I have been speaking with one researcher who is going to do a comparison for me on "death clusters" based on access to grocery stores; this thread reminds me I need to follow up with that....