Black babies in Michigan face triple the mortality rate of white infants before first birthday

Every August, for the past 22 years, Alesha Martin-Lane has mourned the loss of her daughter Tayler, who died at just five months old in 2003.

Born prematurely with pediatric Graves’ disease—a rare autoimmune condition causing excessive thyroid hormone production—Tayler required specialized care unavailable locally at the time.

The nearest hospital capable of treating her was in Ann Arbor, which became a challenge for Martin-Lane, a Black working mother of two.

Tayler died in her sleep, with an autopsy citing complications from her condition as the cause.

Reflecting on advances in healthcare across the state, Martin-Lane, a Saginaw resident, wishes these resources had been available earlier.

“They did not have a pediatric endocrinologist in the area then,” she said. “There were not a lot of options like now.”

Martin-Lane believes her daughter’s short life helped highlight the need for accessible pediatric services, underscoring the importance of overcoming systemic healthcare challenges.

“A baby shouldn’t have to die for us to address these barriers,” she said.

Michigan continues to grapple with high infant mortality rates, particularly among Black babies, who are disproportionately affected.

Related: Michigan counties with the best and worst infant survival rates.

The state’s annual infant mortality report from the Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) shows 12 of Michigan’s 83 counties with the highest population of Blacks reported higher death rates for babies in 2020-22.

In counties such as Saginaw, Genesee, and Jackson, Black infants are significantly less likely to celebrate their first birthday than their white peers, the MDHHS report shows.

Data from Michigan.gov shows three-year infant mortality rates from 2011-13 and 2020-22 among Black babies remain a critical issue.

For example:

• In Michigan, the overall Black infant mortality rate increased from 13.4 in 2011-2013 to 14.2 in 2020-2022, while general infant mortality decreased from 5.3 to 4.5.
• In Berrien County, rates for black babies increased from 17.3 to 19.2, with general infant mortality declining from 4.9 to 4.
• Genesee County’s Black infant rate rose from 14.2 to 15.7, while the general infant mortality rate dropped from 5.2 to 4.8.
• In Saginaw County, rates climbed from 14.3 to 17.3, while general infant mortality increased) from 4.2 to 5.
• Ingham County’s Black infant mortality rates increased from 10.1 to 13, while general rates declined from 7.5 to 4.7.

“These numbers are alarming,” said Family Medicine Physician at CMU Health and Saginaw County Health Department Medical Director Dr. Delicia Pruitt. “No parent wants to lose their child.”

Community-led campaigns

To combat this crisis local health organizations and medical professionals are implementing targeted strategies aimed at reducing disparities and promoting healthier outcomes.

In Saginaw, a coalition of organizations — Central Michigan University (CMU) Health, Great Lakes Bay Health, Covenant HealthCare, and the Saginaw County Health Department — has launched a campaign to improve prenatal and childbirth care.

The initiative includes billboards promoting healthy practices for expectant and new mothers, as well as transportation services, to connect women with essential resources.

“The village has to kick in,” said Dr. Pruitt.

Safe sleep practices are a cornerstone of the campaign.

“Unsafe sleep practices are a significant factor contributing to infant mortality in Saginaw County,” Pruitt said.

Pruitt highlighted the importance of placing babies on their backs to reduce the risk of suffocation and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

SIDS is the unexpected death of an infant under one year old, also known as “crib death.”

In 2022, the white infant death rate was 4.4 per 1,000 deaths. The Black infant death rate that year was 13. Data for 2023 is expected to be available later this year.

“More kids with SIDS are found on their stomachs,” she said. “Every time you put the baby down, you need to put them in a safe and separate place.”

The initiative promotes the “ABC” of safe sleep: Alone, Back, and Crib.

Pruitt stressed everyone in a baby’s life must be educated on these guidelines.

“The old way is not the best way,” said Trish Salas, chief of staff at CMU Medical Education Partners. “We used to be told to lay them on their stomachs. That’s not the case anymore.”

Group-based parental care

Kelly Ellis, a women’s health nurse practitioner at CMU Health, leads the Centering Pregnancy program, which offers group-based parental care for mothers nearing their due dates.

The program, offered by CMU Health, provides a support system comprised of mothers, fostering a sense of community and shared learning.

“These aren’t bad moms,” Ellis said. “They just made a mistake or were unlucky. No one wants this.”

She points out the program’s potential to lower infant mortality rates among Black and Brown babies by addressing gaps in education and support.

“Maternal exhaustion is a common challenge for new mothers due to the demands of caring for a newborn,” Ellis said. “Physical fatigue, sleep deprivation, and emotional stress can be overwhelming.

“Implementing safe and separate sleep routines can help ease this exhaustion by creating a structured environment for both mother and baby to rest better.”

Addressing disparities

Socioeconomic disparities, such as low income, housing instability, and limited access to healthcare, contribute to higher rates of SIDS and other infant deaths among Black families, Pruitt said.

The American Academy of Pediatrics supports Pruitt’s belief, stating in an academic journal “Structural racism and unequal access to health, social and educational resources further amplify these risks.”

For instance, only 62% of non-Hispanic Black infants are placed in safe sleeping positions compared to 84% of non-Hispanic White infants.”

Tackling high rates in Jackson County

Jackson County ranks second-highest in the state, with 19 infant deaths per 1,000 live births in 2020-2022.

To address this, the Jackson County Health Department has introduced the Fetal Infant Mortality Review program, aimed at reviewing every infant’s death that occurs before a child’s first birthday.

The health department examines each case and the findings are shared with a review group. These groups are made up of citizens and other medical professionals.

This group recommends actions to improve outcomes, which another independent panel then reviews again. The final recommendations are shared with healthcare providers, childcare organizations and others who can implement changes in their facilities or programs.

“These reviews are essential for identifying what can be done better,” the health department said, emphasizing the goal of making meaningful improvements to reduce mortality rates.

Flint highlights local efforts

While overall infant mortality rates in Michigan have decreased, the numbers remain disproportionately high in counties heavily populated by Black and Brown communities.

As a state, Michigan’s infant mortality rate has slowly been declining for years, reaching the lowest rate on record (6.1) in 2023, according to MDHHS.

Gayle Shipp, an assistant professor at Michigan State University’s Charles Stewart Mott Department of Public Health in Flint, called the trend “sad and disheartening,” citing sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), unsafe sleeping conditions, and lower birth weights as key contributors.

“The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is doing a good job providing education and highlighting resources for mothers and expecting mothers,” Shipp said.

Programs like Rx Kids, which offers economic support to pregnant mothers and their babies, provide much-needed stress relief by addressing healthcare and financial concerns.

The initiative gives participating mothers $1,500 during their pregnancy and $500 a month during the baby’s first year.

“This program doesn’t necessarily provide you with education but can help you with healthcare costs that (mothers) don’t have to be worried about,” Shipp said.

Additionally, Genesee County programs like YOLO and REVIVE Community Health Center provide resources focused on supporting Black and Indigenous mothers.

YOLO offers breastfeeding education and doula services to address gaps in care.

“Having a doula helps support during pregnancy and postpartum,” Shipp explained. “Black women feel like they are not being treated well or tended to or ignored while in the hospital.”

REVIVE Community Health Center focuses on reducing maternal and infant mortality rates, along with lowering low birth weight and premature birth rates.

Additional resources

Michigan has several initiatives to reduce infant mortality, including programs that improve access to care, promote healthy pregnancies, and educate families about safe sleep.

• Maternal Infant Health Program (MIHP): Promotes healthy pregnancies and infant development for Medicaid-eligible pregnant people and infants
• Visit:
• Mother Infant Health & Equity Improvement Plan (MIHEIP): Promotes a holistic approach to care for mothers and babies, with a focus on addressing health disparities
• Visit:
• Maternal & Infant Health Initiative: Supports community-driven projects that improve access to care and reduce disparities
• Visit: https://mihealthfund.org/grantmaking/maternal-infant-health
• Michigan Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health (MI AIM): Works with hospitals to reduce the risk of maternal death
• Visit:
• Safe to Sleep® campaign: Promotes safe sleep practices to reduce the risk of Sudden Unexplained Infant Death Syndrome (SUIDS)
• Visit:https://health.ingham.org/health_and_safety/health_department/maternal_and_child_health/strong_start___healthy_start/resources.php
• Infant Safe Sleep Program: Promotes awareness about safe sleep practices to prevent sleep-related infant deaths
• Visit: