In a recent meeting, the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners unanimously adopted a resolution designating September 2024 as National Infant Mortality Awareness Month. This initiative supports the 13th annual \"Walk a Mile to Save Our Babies\" event, aimed at raising awareness about the critical issue of infant mortality in the community.

Public health officials, including Sherita Sutton, the public health director, and Jasmine Harris, coordinator of health services, were present to receive the resolution. The meeting highlighted alarming statistics regarding infant mortality in Forsyth County, where 40 infants died before their first birthday in 2022, marking an increase from 36 in 2021. The county's infant mortality rate stands at 8.8 deaths per 1,000 live births, significantly higher than the statewide average of 6.8.

The resolution emphasizes the disproportionate impact of infant mortality on African American infants, who accounted for 51% of deaths in the most recent reporting year. Contributing factors such as prematurity, low birth weight, birth defects, sudden unexpected infant deaths, and unsafe sleep practices were noted as significant issues, particularly affecting minority communities.

The Forsyth County Infant Mortality Reduction Coalition is actively working to address these challenges by fostering community awareness and promoting health equity. The Board of Commissioners has called on both public and private entities to engage in efforts to understand and mitigate the social, behavioral, and health factors influencing birth outcomes.

As part of the initiative, the Board has invited all commissioners to participate in the upcoming walk on September 26, from 9 AM to 12 PM, encouraging community involvement in this vital cause.