Campaign to Reduce Infant Deaths in Indiana

Campaign to Reduce Infant Deaths in Indiana

3^rd Annual Labor of Love Summit

Nov 6

JW Marriott, Indianapolis

The Campaign focuses on the importance of:

                Early and regular prenatal care

                Safe sleep practices

                Avoiding tobacco, drugs and alcohol before, during and after pregnancy

                Breastfeeding

Each year approximately 654 babies die before reaching their first birthdays. This puts Indiana 39^th in the nation for infant mortality. Believing that this is a largely preventable tragic issue, in January 2015 the state initiated a new public health campaign called “Labor of Love”. It aims to educate and support Hoosier mothers so they may have healthy pregnancies and babies. In Indiana nearly one-half of mothers do not obtain prenatal care, and  Hoosier mothers smoke during pregnancy at nearly twice the national average. Minority babies are especially at a disadvantage when it comes to infant death. “We must do everything in our power to correct this disparity and work to save all infant lives,” said Labor of Love spokesperson, First Lady, Karen Pence. The focus for this year’s Summit is on health disparities as they relate to infant  mortality.

Hoosiers in need of help or to find out more information can go to laboroflove.in.gov.

The Summit will feature several nationally-known speakers. Learn more here.