KY. INFANT MORTALITY Ky. Officials Try Combat Infant Mortality
Reported by: Associated Press
Web Producer: Heath Harrison
Reported: Mar. 3, 2013 3:45 PM EST
Eyewitness News Photo
Frankfort, Franklin County
, Kentucky
Health care professionals and government officials from across the state are trying to address the large number of Kentucky babies that die in their first year of life.
The Courier-Journal reported at the Governor's Summit on Infant Mortality last week, officials said nearly 14 percent of Kentucky babies are born prematurely. And hospitalizations for babies born addicted to drugs rose by 2,400 percent between 2000 and 2011.
Officials said poverty, lack of education and drug abuse contribute to an infant mortality rate that is higher than Cuba, Croatia or Slovakia.
Attempts to combat the problem include a home-visitation program for new and expectant parents and an educational program to prevent elective deliveries before 39 weeks gestation.
Officials said they are also working to get more drug-addicted mothers into treatment.
Copyright 2013 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
W.Va. man charged with threatening high school May 23, 2013 5:28 PM EDT Boone County police have arrested a Raleigh County man who allegedly invoked the mass shooting in Connecticut in a threatening message against a high school.
Police: Ky man threatened neighbor with AK-47 May 23, 2013 8:51 PM EDT Police say a dispute over shooting at rabbits with an air gun in a Louisville yard quickly became a threat with an AK-47.
Company pleads guilty in Ohio fish deaths case May 23, 2013 8:02 PM EDT A Strongsville company and the owner's wife have pleaded guilty for their roles in the dumping of liquid cyanide into a storm drain, resulting in the death of almost 31,000 fish in an Ohio river last year.
Associated Press
