Infant Mortality
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Although the United States dramatically decreased over the past few decades, it still ranks high compared to many other countries (Tanner, 2006). Although it may appear that race is the deciding factor in infant mortality, the real factor is income level. Those individuals facing poverty are less likely to seek those programs available to the underprivileged to aid in prenatal care and parenting education.
The United States has many programs available to assist in the educational and nutritional needs of the under-privileged; however, they may not be readily accessible to the individual for a variety of reasons. Those mothers with an insufficient level of education are less likely to seek such programs no matter how available.
WIC, Women, Infants, Children, is a well planned program to aid poor pregnant women and parents of children under five with their nutritional needs. The WIC program was designed to ensure that those women and children receive nutritious food and healthcare referrals when conditions warrant. (www.fns.usda.gov/wic/, 2005).
Individuals utilizing the Medicaid system for prenatal care should be required to attend weekly parenting classes. These classes should include development and care throughout the pregnancy as well as care for the infant after birth. Giving the parents the tools necessary early on is paramount in the success of the pregnancy and the health of the infant later in life. Also, the school system should incorporate a parenting class in the curriculum of high school students during their freshman year. Most schools have sex education classes; it is only fitting to include parenting classes for those students that make the wrong choices. Allowing students to have access to information at an earlier age may help when the time comes for that information to be utilized. Education is a successful tool in minimizing the risks associated with poor nutrition and health during pregnancy and parenting issues. Teaching underprivileged and young parents the tools to successful parenting can lower stress related child abuse, to include the “shaken baby syndrome” (kidshealth.org, 2007).
Planned Parenthood is another useful tool in the education of pregnant women and mothers. They offer many services, to include ob/gyn care and pregnancy and nutrition education. Services are rendered without bias from income, color or age and are widely disseminated throughout the country, with over 860 healthcare centers nationwide. (Planned Parenthood, 2006)
Families with a low socioeconomic status are less likely to have or seek the healthcare benefits required to care for